The Once & Future KingMaker

Game Master Aest

Seraph sat astride Julias, both of which were watching the events with interest. Julias bobbing his head as if he were agreeing with Asta and Seraph restraining her amusement. Seeing as she isn't part of this plan, thankfully as she isn't very stealthy anyway, she reined back aways and waited until she was needed.

"Don't think I've forgotten about you, Seraph," Asta says without looking back at Seraph. "I need you here with me, to secure this spot against attack. Things might go bad at any moment, so be ready."

"You got it." She smiles slightly and dismounts, tying Julias off to some nearby brush before taking up a defensive position near Asta and drawing her large blade.

"Violent impulses? Why I am the very picture of restraint, though I can't promise not to break one or two before we get a live one." Torod turns to go to the Old Sycamore. "Though I do like that honey idea. If they prove to be skilled bee-keepers and honey-makers then they will have some value." Strawberry nods her head, seemingly in agreement with her companion. "Ok, girl, the winter queen wants us to get her one of these things." It's not clear if he's talking to Strawberry Deathstrike, who shoots off to the side, or Elaina.

"Alive and as unharmed as you can get them," Asta repeats, warningly. "I've no use for a halfdead one or one with broken arms and legs! That sort of thing is counter-productive for diplomacy. Remember."

Haven't mentioned the bee-keeping plan IC yet, but I'm glad you like it. ^_^ It'll be different from the usual 'kill them all and torch their hall'-gameplay vis-à-vis monster races, at least.

Mikmek looks disappointed for a few minutes but he snaps out of it.

He points at himself with his thumb.

"Mikmek sets camp and makes rally place?"

"Please do," Asta says, bowing her head to Mikmek in a grave manner. "Please believe me when I say I mean neither insult nor deceit; I am thinking solely of your safety and the success of the upcoming negotiations."

A subtle smile flickers across the pale Witch's face.

"If all goes as planned, Kobolds and Mites may even find themselves trading across the border in the future, and everyone will be getting rich and prosperous. Wish us luck..."

"This should be interesting..."

Seraph gives Mikmek some heartening words before he was out of sight, ensuring the others weren't to close to overhear she turned to look Asta before whispering as best she could.

DC 25 to hear a whisper?

"First order of business: run like hell," Asta replies. "After that, we'll see."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Lousy, lousy rolls. This is going to get interesting.

Elaina works her way around the tree, looking for a lone mite to capture.

Mikmek heads off towards the north to set a rally point, and camp.

Looming over all the hills in the northern Kamelands, a graying hulk of a sycamore tree clings precariously to its last years of life. The 100-foot-tall tree is a well-known landmark and is visible for miles around—

As you get closer you cannot see any mites nor the opening to their lair.

Elaina circles the tree, inching closer to it little by little.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Suddenly, a dozen mites jump from nowhere and truss up Elaina like a hog... That's what I'm starting to expect now.

Torod goes to the area where they entered the mite lair last time and looks for the entrance.

Perception Take 10 for 21 total.

Strawberry stalks around looking for any hidden mites.
Strawberry Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Torod Stealth 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (5) - 3 = 2
Strawberry Stealth 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

Hidden among the ancient roots of the great tree you find a recessed area that is also partially a dirt tunnel...that has a barricade/door in place there and maybe even traps?

Here's where we could have used a Rogue in the party. ^^;

Or someone expandable? :-)

Use my scimitar to knock on the barricade.

"What happened last time you guys were here?" Elaina whispers to Torod.

And because I'm sure the door's trapped. Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Elaina finds no traps, Torod's knocks go unheeded....

The door actually is slightly ajar and not really a proper door in any event, it appears to be a fairly random collection of wood for the most part.....

Elaina

closer look

Note the tunnels ( between chambers) will subject everyone to squeezing and order of march will matter

Sorry for the late post

"Hey, I think that's a buckler. Why use that for part of a door?"

Elaina whispers to Torod as she points out what she saw.

I know I posted something to this already. Dang post eating monster.

Torod puts away his shield and scimitar as he prepares to enter the complex. "Yeah that's nice, very dainty." He seems more concerned about the lack of greeting than Elaina's find. Strawberry goes in. Torod readies his dagger and follows her.

The tunnel drops about 10 feet and splits into two directions

Which way?

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Elaina drops down and looks both ways before heading right. R2 my good sir. Keeping an eye out for trouble.

Post eating monster strikes again.

Torod casts Light as he tries to remember the way the group took last time they were here.

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Strawberry Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Stealth1d20 - 3 ⇒ (7) - 3 = 4
Strawberry Stealth 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 +4 in undergrowth

Marten looks at the two women remaining outside with him.

"You sure it is wise to send them alone? Can they run fast if something happens? More to the point, will they run? Torod strikes me more like a guy looking for trouble than one avoiding it at all costs."

Seraph shrugs as Asta watches curiously. Seraph wasn't as worried about it as she probably should be it what happens would happen. "We'll I think Cutie can handle herself, if old sourpuss chooses to fight now how are we going to stop them? It's a matter of faith now. If you feel sneaky enough you could guard the exit and make sure they can still get out that way if need be. I can help you but I am not very sneaky."

"They'll run if they have to, or they'll die," Asta says, her voice sombre. "I'd prefer it if they ran."

The tunnel is nothing more than a dirt crawl hole, with barely enough room to move forwards.

Assuming Elaina is in front (since she chose a direction)

The tunnel opens into a small chamber....
Three crude, wooden workbenches occupy the center of this
room, their tops strewn with various tiny tools, metal and
wooden hardware, and blocks of wood.

Two mites seem to be playing a game as one launches a caltrop through the air and into the others waiting open mouth.

They stop playing as the light comes into the room.

One of them shrieks and attacks!
@Elaina
Dagger attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 1

The other one launches a caltrop via the minature catapult
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
1 point of damage if it hits.....

DM Notes

You are up!

Elaina hisses as her arm gains two new gashes. Her eyes flash with azure light before she lunges at the one with the knife and tries to grab him.

Grapple, Provokes AoO: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 4 = 3

"Slippery little buggers."

Torod barks a command and Strawberry scrambles after the catapulting mite (Accepting any AoO's) while Torod supports Elaina.

Shield Bash
to hit 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18 to hurt 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Strawberry Bite
to hit 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 to hurt1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 trip 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Seraph's smile faded and she drew out her club, juggling it between her hands and her tail as she spoke. "It'd be a mighty shame if I had to brain the little buggers for hurting my new friends. Besides Julias isn't much of a talker." Julias wickered and nodded when Seraph spoke as though he were in agreement. "How long until we should go after them?"

"Let's wait a bit longer. They should be smart enough to run, if they meet something they can not handle themselves."

Seraph nodded and slipped her club back into her belt, snugging the club up on her hip. "Alrighty then." She then draws her large bastard sword sitting down and starting to sharpen it, ensuring it had a fine edge for her next confrontation.

Still here. :)

The one with the dagger is not impressed and attacks again.

@Elaina
Dagger attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 4

Torod is attacked via AoO
Dagger attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 3

TOrod bashes the mite, and the mite shakes off the blow, then the panther attempts to bite, but causes no damage.

The catapult mite is now holding a dagger and has been tripped.

You are up!

The toughness of the mites surprises Torod at first, but he quickly decides to try harder.
Scimitar:
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 to hurt 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Strawberry starts to wrestle with the downed mite.

Strawberry Grab:
to hit 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Once again the gumby like skin and tissues of the mite takes no damage from Torod's scimitar....
.....Fey creatures cold iron (enough said)

The panther maintains a grip on the mite.

Grapple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Elaina moves into the room. No longer confined by the tight tunnel, she lunges for the free mite.

"GOTCHA!"

Marten watches Seraph sharpen the sword.

"Nice weapon, how did you come by that sword?"

Seraph raised the sword blade looking down its length before smiling at Marten. "I was on pathfinder business when I came upon a hamlet being raided by a nasty ogre, they'd driven him off but not before he had dragged a number of their people to its den. I tracked it down and nearly died taking it on, good thing it was injured." Her smiles never dimishes as she keeps talking, inspecting the blade again. "This ole blade was rusting away in back and so I took it as a memento, that was a few years ago now."

She stands up and gives the blade some practice twirls, letting its honed edge shine in the sunlight. Her powerful arms made it easy to twohand the blade. Each twirl brought the tip of the blade low enough to clip the tops off of the grass blades around her feet. As she practiced her sword strokes she spoke, albeit strained as her muscles surged to conrol the swinging of the larger blade. "I see you carry a staff, are you a monk?"

Marten chuckles.

"Hardly, it is just convenient to have a weapon which may double as a walking stick. Also people will underestimate someone with a staff, unless they are used to meeting monks.And I am quite good with it, if I may say so. Actually I am more an arcane and action guy, than a monastery weirdo. he winks at Seraph.

"Oh, and it does not need sharpening to stay ready for a fight"

Seraph chuckles at the sly comment Marten had at the end as she stops her spinning and holds the blade with its flat side towards her. Obscuring her greatly before laying the flat side on her shoulder and looking back at the tree. "Keeping it sharp is respectful you sly dog. Besides this blade represents me very well." She smirks roguishly at Marten as her tail twitched in amusement behind her.

"Well, I can't say if this staff represents me. What do you think, am I blunt?" Marten keeps up the friendly banter with a smile.
"But I certainly like to keep myself sharp, even if not my weapon. Unless we go up against something that requires wooden stake to kill properly."

"I do not think a weapon represents either of you," Asta says, her voice cool music. "Merely choices you have made in your professions. You would not be lessened by picking up different tools to do your jobs."

Torod, stop trying to hurt those Mites and bring them up!

"Yeah, and those choices will come to haunt you." Marten sobers. He becomes serious and grim again. His eyes glaze over as he remembers something better left unremembered.

The ranger and panther have managed to subdue the two mites and drags them to the surface for the others to take a look at.....

"Okay, we got two of the blasted mites. Mind telling me what you have in mind?"

Elaina seems none-too-pleased about what she was asked to do, or about the two fresh cuts on her arm.

Asta lowers her face into her hands for a moment and heaves a deep, deep sigh. Then she shakes herself and addresses the two dark Fey in a calm tone of voice.

[spoiler=Undercommon]"I offer you my sincere apologies for the rough treatment you have achieved. I wished to speak to two representatives of your noble race, in order to start negotiations with your leader on matters which may be beneficial to all of us. Please accept my apologies."

Seraph looks questioningly at Asta for a moment as she speaks in another tongue before shrugging it off and tsking at Elaina's injuries. She approaches Elaina and motions at her injured arm. "We can't have that now can we~"

Rolling CLW ahead of time~ :)

CLW - 3/4 1st level spells remaining: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Marten returns from the real of bad memories.

"Well, well, look at what they managed to drag to the light."

As Asta begins the negotiations, he plays with his quaterstaff in somewhat not too threatening a way.