Kesperex: King's Land Scoundrels

Game Master Nathanael Love

Malik smiles at the gnome, Brilliant, thank you. I'm with Kazell, Karak, unless you object; to let them go since they were so helpful to us....

"Very well then," and the Gnome shows you on a map the route to be expected to be taken. "Again, I will remind you that this will be lightly guard, but by exceptional men- I would look to expect four muskateers, perhaps accompanied by their lackeys, but no more."

Karak nodded as he looked at the map. While it was possible that the gnome was lying, it didn’t seem likely given the description of the strong guards. Still, he listened for any signs of falsehood.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

You believe the gnome is telling the truth, both about the information and about his intention to depart south out of the way of the combat.

It is currently the 22nd of the month, so there are 17 days separating you from the expected arrival of the gold.

Pending decision on the canon itself, and then your own plans between this date and the 39th

After the prisoners leave, Kazell says

Well, if we are going to take that payroll and get the garrison out of our town, we are going to have to plan it really well. We'll need to scout the route and see if there is a good place for an ambush.

”Aye. Though I worry about how well I can be concealed.” Karak mused. ”Probably best for me to wait for them on the road. Stall them while the rest of ye attack.” With a shake of his head he continued ”Lets keep discussing this as we get this ‘ere war machine moved, aye?”

"We have days to prepare the road, yes? I do not fancy going against riffles without many traps laid slightly off to the side. Perhaps an covered archer mounted in a tree, with beartraps around it's base. Pits, spikes, swinging logs, all these would be excellent at narrowing the playing field. And of course... a scroll of darkness would turn the tide swiftly in the favor of those who can function within it."

Final answer- you are ditching the big canons into the river and snatching several of the small/medium ones?

Yes!

Looking over the cannons, Malik sees a good spot to unhook the whole mess....Viatrix, got any spare powder we can junk some of these bigger cannon with? Throw 'em in the river once we've corked them?

Malik sets about destroying the cannon tower, and putting aside a few on the ox team to bring to Augustus' place. We taking these cannon to Augustus' like we originally thought? or where else would be good to hide them?

Once that's decided, I do think we should scout the area and see what's there in the next few days, so we can fully plan our work there.

Agreed. Scouting definitely seems nessisary. I've got plenty of room to stow the cannons hidden if we'd like.

"Aye, that we should. A very good chance that one or more of us will not be walking away from this. It would be remiss of us to not take proper precautions." Said the dwarf whose plan was to stand in the middle of the road, facing down well trained musketeers whose weapons would burst right through his armor.

With some effort you push the larger canons into the river, and pack the six small and the three medium canons and begin towards home. It will take some amount of fitting to mount the canons to fire individually, but it can be done easily enough.

For reference the two "large" canons are equivalent to the cannon found here.

Kazell jumps in to help get the cannons to Augustus' place.

"I'll work with Sylvia to build up a stockpile of powder for the cannons. Let's see if we can rig up some sorta cannon-wagon for these oxen to pull; they're clearly used to the sounds of gunfire. Then our dwarf should have more of a chance should he really intend to stand alone against that crew."

”That I do. Better to be a distraction than to be a liability. Me and me friend here just aren’t suited for stealth, aye?”

"Seems fit to meet at my farm tomorrow morning, wouldn't want to glean suspicion by being out later than our 'grateful guests' expect us to."

You are able to use excess lumber to fashion a sledge and start for your village.

As you are passing through a wooded area, you notice the light change. It gets darker than it should, even for the densely wooded area and the time of day.

Ahead, in your path you see what can only be described as a creature-- a twisted thing, with a human looking face and body like a man sized maggot.

Knowledge Nature DC 15 to identify

It glares at you.

Picture on slide 5

Don't have any ranks in knowledge nature, so not rolling, but that sure is a creepy looking thing. :)

Kazell stays well back from the thing, and her first instinct is to shoot, but she forces herself to look beyond the disgusting appearance and hope that there is intelligence there. She says

We wish you no harm. We only seek to pass to return to our home.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Karak was immediately on edge. He had NO idea what the creature was, but its very nature had him on edge. He didn't take any outwardly aggressive actions, but he was ready should it attack.

Well that's hideous! I love it

similarly no ranks.

Augustus will wave after Kazell's greeting/farewell.

Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Yeah, I've never heard of anything that looks like that Malik says as he tightens his grip on the well-worn crossbow in his hands.

Following Kazell's lead, Malik chimes in, Yes, like she said, we're just trying to go home. Sorry to bother you!

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

"Oh? Bother me? No, NO no nO no No. . . I was looking for Y O U."

The creature stares you down, "The Fey King sent me. Told me. Tell you. To send a message. To leave the Hunstman alone. You must, you must, must, must, leave the Hunstman finish his work! The Fey King asks it."

... Okay, for now, but what is his work, and how long will it take? We can't guarantee we will leave him alone forever.

bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Are we supposed to know who the huntsman is? I rolled bluff because Kazell doesn't know and is trying to get more information, but if we are supposed to, we could change that to a different roll.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
What if any is its interest in us other than as stated? What is the truth of its words?

Viatrix stares at the thing, never taking her hand off her gun. Her mount stamps about, nervous, impatient.

The Eastern deserters we fought were loyal to the Huntsman. Perhaps the whole army is?

Yes- you assume that he means the Mad Hunstman who was working with some of the Eastern Army troops and is the former apprentice of Burrowdar's resident witch Sylvia

Viatrix: You detect a distinct threat in his words.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

"Oh no! Oh No, nO NO. This will not do, dOo Doo. You must leave the Hunstman alone!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

I leave it to your own discretion how intimidated his words make you.

Kazell is somewhat intimidated... she is already stressed about keeping the town safe from opposing kingdoms, and now to hear threats from the fey? But everyone had to know where they stood and where the line was. They couldn't keep letting people walk all over them, or there would be no home left to come back to.

We will only leave the huntsman alone if he leaves our town and everyone in it alone. Go tell the Fey King that.

Karak listened in complete confusion and feeling slightly unnerved. The Huntsman? The Fey King? He realized that this ragtag group had done more than fight bandits and soldiers. Not for the first time did he wonder what he had gotten himself into.

"Oh, bother, I suppose the message will need to be sent the hard way then."

Round 1
The Fear Eater steps up to attack Karak!
Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
one hit! WIll need a fortitude save vs. disease as well

Turn Order:

1. Fear Eater
2. Malik
3. Viatrix
4. Augustus
5. Cra'rak
6. Kazell
7. Karak

Status:

Augustus: 7/15
Cra'rak: 10/17
Karak: 6/22, pending fort save vs. disease
Siren: 13/20
Viatrix: 9/20
Victor: 15/21

That will bring up the party; we glossed over it, so if you would have used any healing between the fight and starting travel go ahead and post it.

Due to the dense woods here, the entire area is difficult terrain if you are moving more than 5 ft, but you can still 5 ft step-- the undergrowth is not high, just densely packed trees

I rolled for HP on my cure light wounds extract after the first fight, I got lucky and healed back up to full. Goodness! A fight with no mutagen!

I have 0 healing ability. If someone would have topped Karak off, please roll it. Otherwise I'll move forward as is

Fort: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23

Karak's eyes went wide with surprise when the creature moved to attack him. He felt the impact on his leg as one of it's claws hit home, and he knew that it would leave a nasty bruise when this was all said and done. Luckily, his armor held. After the surprise came the anger. His eyes narrowed and he bellowed "Right then! Cra'rak, cut off his escape!"

Will attack after Cra'rak, or someone else, moves into a flanking position. Rolling the attacks now as I have the time, but have included the flanking bonuses. If they don't apply by the time everyone has acted, please ignore. Also, due to being mounted, I increased the size of Karak's picture on the map. Also, while Karak is calling for you to provide the flank, that is purely IC. Please take whatever actions you deem most appropriate. Finally, as this is the first time that it has come up. For Karak's challenge. He gets +1 to hit per 4 cavalier levels due to his order, +1 damage per level as a cavalier, and +1 damage per 2 levels due to his favored class bonus. While it hurts to lose the extra HP, I figured that the extra challenge damage was both unique and good bonus to have. He is at -2 AC against any attacks that come from a source besides this creature

Dwarf Challenge for +1 hit and +3 damage: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31
Hammer: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (3, 3) + 9 = 15

Confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19
Crit: 4d6 + 18 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 3) + 18 = 33

Mount Horns: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Mount Hoof 1: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Mount Hoof 2: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Few things are as dangerous as an angry dwarf with a hammer, and that was exactly what Karak was. His hammer connected directly with the creature, even as his mount reared up to attack.

Malik will beat upon his drum to inspire the party, and stand his ground...

Inspire courage 5/9 for the day!

Did we also have ammo and powder for the cannons? >> Even tho it'll take time, I would love to shoot this thing with one, it isss

Intimidating.

"With pleasure!" Cra'rak moves to the opposite side of the creature, Looks like it'll take a full move in the difficult terrain, and provoke an attack of opportunity, also swift action arcane strike and slashes at it with his talon.
To hit!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d3 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (2) = 9
"I'll set it up, and you knock it down!"

Viatrix hops off Vic and whips the oxen, moving the cannon into position as her horse rushes in and slams the side of its head into the Man-Maggot.

Swift Dismount, DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Handle Animal, Whip, DC 10: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18
Victor Bite, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23
Damage, IC: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

On my phone, will adjust map later

Round 1
Malik begins inspiring courage.

Viatrix sends her mount forward, while positioning the oxen.

Victor bites the Feat Eater, but his teeth are less effective than you might expect.

AOO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
The Fear eater slices Cra'rak as he moves, but then takes the Tengu's claw in return! Alas, Cra'Rak also finds his claws less than fully effective. Fort save vs. disease; everyone would have seen enough attacks now to intuit DR of some kind

Karak strikes with a devastating blow with his hammer, and his mount gets one strike in as well.

Turn Order:

1. Fear Eater
2. Malik
3. Viatrix
4. Augustus
5. Cra'rak
6. Kazell
7. Karak

Status:

Augustus: 7/15
Cra'rak: 9/17, pending fort save vs. disease
Karak: 6/22
Siren: 13/20
Viatrix: 9/20
Victor: 15/21

Fear Eater: -40

Pending Augustus and Kazell

Kazell moves to get a better shot and fires at the creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 (point blank)
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 1 + 1 = 9 (point blank)

Victor thrashes against the caterpillar, biting and stomping at it, as his owner begins prepping the cannon First full round action

Victor, IC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 111d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 131d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Augustus will take a step forward reach out and wisper "Leig an t-eagal gad fhàgail" before touching Karaks leg

Casting Cure light wounds

Healing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Round 1
Augustus cures Karak.

Kazell shoots and misses.

Round 2
The Fear Eater steps back, then emits a terrifying cone of dread!
This is a 30 ft. cone blast it will hit everyone except Cra'rak and Viatrix-- DC 15 will or become Panicked; Shaken for 1 round if passed

1. Fear Eater
2. Malik
3. Viatrix
4. Augustus
5. Cra'rak
6. Kazell
7. Karak

Status:

Augustus: 7/15
Cra'rak: 9/17, pending fort save vs. disease
Karak: 15/22
Siren: 13/20
Viatrix: 9/20
Victor: 15/21

Fear Eater: -40

That will bring everyone up again; I'll resolve Victor's attack above pending made save.

Oh oops sorry

Horse Willpower: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Kazell panics.

Dwarf: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 15

Most importantly, the mount: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

Fear washed over Karak, and for a moment, he wavered. But then the beat of Malik's drums broke through the paranormal fear, and the dwarf squared his jaw to meet the target of his challenge. But his mount...his mount was not so fortunate. Even as Karak raised his hammer, his mount turned and bolted. Leaving the dwarf yelling "Oi, wrong way! Bah! Leave me a charge lane open lads, I'll be back!" As he was carried away from the battle.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Oh, that bodes poorly for me :)I'm going to delay until I can get a flank, the extra damage from sneak attack really helps get through DR

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4+1 from Inspire courage

Malik drops his crossbow, letting it hang from its strap, and he bolts away from the creature....

No more inspire courage either....

Round 2
Malik panics and runs.

Viatrix begins preparing a cannon, but Victor panics and flees.

Augustus Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Augustus panics and flees!

Kazell panics.

Karak resists his fear, but his mount panics and flees!

1. Fear Eater
2. Malik
3. Viatrix
4. Augustus
5. Cra'rak
6. Kazell
7. Karak

Status:

Augustus: 7/15
Cra'rak: 9/17, pending second fort save vs. disease
Karak: 15/22
Siren: 13/20
Viatrix: 9/20
Victor: 15/21

Fear Eater: -40

Cra'rak still has his action before the Fear Eater, but all his companions have fled, and Karak can act if he wants to-- the panic is 7 rounds

Cra'rak- you failed the first save vs. disease and are affected, its onset is one round so you now get DC 17 Fort to avoid taking the effects the first time

God, I do not like this thing

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Uh oh...
Assuming I still get to have a turn...
"To the last! Karak will sing songs of my shame should I be struck down by such a pitiful worm as yourself!"
Swift action arcane strike, full attack.

Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 -- damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 -- damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 -- damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

I'm going to guess that none of that got through it's DR :( Cra'rak had a good run of it!

Ride for emergency dismount: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Realizing that his mount was out of control, Karak tried to safely get off of it so that he could get back into the fray. As it turned out, getting off of a bolting ram was easier said than done.

Round 2
Cra'rak swipes at the Fear Eater, but his claws do no damage.

Karak tries to dismount unsuccessfully.

1. Fear Eater
2. Malik
3. Viatrix
4. Augustus
5. Cra'rak
6. Kazell
7. Karak

Round 3
The Fear Eater uses a strange Fungal Burst ability and Cra'Rak feels the spores in his body grow and expand!

Charisma Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
DC 17 Fortitude or take 6 Charisma damage

Status:

Augustus: 7/15
Cra'rak: 9/17, -1 to Will saves vs. Emotional effects
Karak: 15/22
Siren: 13/20
Viatrix: 9/20
Victor: 15/21

Fear Eater: -40