Into the Stolen Lands (Kingmaker Book 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Chainmail

Antonio climbs down ten feet, then just drops down to the ground, hitting the ground in a roll, then up to his feet again.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Or perhaps like a sack of potatoes...

Antonio sprawls prone, the earth is softer than he thought as the orcs obviously made sure it was not packed, but soft. Then rises to his feet.
fall damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Taddy

The two orcs coordinate against Kunala. One flanking misses, but the first to set up hits and misses a vital spot connecting just the same.

Kunala only had one Panache point which I was trying to save, so he did not use it last round

"Blast!" Cursing as he misses the red orc, Kunala brings his blade around again. Dodging the attack from the orc he'd wounded, he wasn't expecting the second one to attack him as well. Feeling the blade cut deep into his side, he realizes he needs to finish the wounded orc quickly, or he would be overwhelmed.

Setting his feet he shifts the dueling sword to a high guard, quickly cutting at the wounded red orc. Pivoting, he brings the fiery blade back around ready to defend himself from at least one of the attackers.

MW Aldori dueling sword, sword scion, power attack
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 20 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 3 = 9
Kunala has 1 panache at the moment, if he drops red he'll have two. Either way if he is attacked he will use the panache point to parry.
AOO: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 27
If he kills red (regaining a panache point) he will use 'opportune parry and riposte' against yellow
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 13 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 3 = 12

Climb 1: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1 No movement.
Climb 2: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9 Move 7.5 ft down.

Amelia starts to climb down the rope, only to freeze as it begins to sway wildly. After a few tense moments and the rope stops swinging, she begins to move again.

Double move to climb. Failed the first check by less than 5. Success on the second check.

Round 1

Limping a little from the fall, Antonio looped around past Erme Coin to put Mr. Yellow in flank with Kunala.
Then he lunged in to a flank sneak attack.
Rapier flank sneak attack vs Yellow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 27 for a possible 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (3) = 8 piercing and precision damage.

Friendly Reminder. Bless is up. Should have a +1 to attacks and saves.

ROUND 2 Buffs: Bless

As Antonio deftly joins the fray, Érme once again shifts (5ft Step) then tries to impale the orc Standard Action - Melee Attack vs Yellow)

Melee Attack - Longspear: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4 Well that was a short run of success :S
Longspear Damage (P): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

However the concern for her sister swaying just above the clamour puts paid to her stab...

Erme misses, Antonio staggers and orc and Kunala finishes it off with the help of the blessings of Abadar. As the orc lunges at Kunala, his strike is parried, but Kunala's counter comes up short.

Kunala and Antonio quickly dispatch the last orc. Antonio staggers him and Kunala finishes him off with the blessing of Abadar.

rolls: 2d20 ⇒ (13, 9) = 22

Combat over

You do hear running feat coming from the south. You consider forming defensive lines now that you are all at the bottom, or moving down another passage.

Amelia joins the others on the ground a few moments later as the sounds of other closing in echo through the chamber.

"Who's hurt? I can heal your wounds before we have to fight again," she says while trying to throttle her welling panic.

Relieved to see the orcs fall and the rest of the party arrive without falling, Kunala turns to Amelia, "I am wounded, and there are orcs coming from the south." He looks towards Antonio then the others, "Do we fight them here or run?"

Amelia nods and begins to pray and channel the divine might of her god towards undoing the chaos the orcs had caused.

CLW Kunala: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW Antonio: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Well that kinda sucks. Antonio is back to full. Kunala is up by two more.

Antonio breathed a sigh of relief at the healing.
"We ought to take them here. Looks like they're coming up a corridor single file, and we have several escape routes.
"If we retreat down any corridor, we have no idea if our tactical situation will be better, or worse." Said Antonio with a shrug.

Érme moves to stand by her sister's shoulder with a nod at Antonio's tactical acumen;

"Hold them here. If they break and attempt to flank us we can respond."

She reaches out to grip Kunala's shoulder;

"May you prosper in this battle swordsman..."

(Cast Guidance on Kunala: +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check for 1 minute or till discharged)

Does Amelia have time for another spell?

"Do you think it's all of the ones down here," Amelia asks as she takes shelter behind her more martially minded sister.

The orc column gets in sight of the party, and it is about to get ugly. Eight orcs in four rows of two appear in heavy armor from the south.

Initiative
Antonio: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Amelia: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Tacitus: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Erme: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Kunala: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Enemy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

ORDER OF ACTION
All But Erme
Orcs
PARTY

No time for another spell, but bless has only been active five rounds.

"Blast, I thought the corridor was more narrow." Said Antonio.
He levelled his light crossbow at Mr. Yellow and fired.
light crossbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21 for a possible 1d8 ⇒ 5 piercing damage.

Then he advanced to a narrow part of the corridor and assumed a fighting defensive stance (-4 to hit/+2AC), make his Combat Expertise -1 to hit/+1 AC, and extended his rapier out towards the enemy. (AC currently 21).

Seeing the eight heavily armored orcs coming up the hallway, Kunala's eyes grow wide. His jaw drops as Antonio moves towards the narrow part of the corridor. Looking towards the coin sisters, he shakes his head. "Unless you've some magic we haven't seen yet, we can't possibly defeat this foe."

He gestures towards the dark hallway, "Do we run into the unknown or try to get up the rope?"

Amelia swallows as she tries to tap into the source of power she realized she had yesterday. A bolt of starlight streaks from her palm and into the leading orc. It explodes in a cloud of brilliant sparks.

Ranged Touch vs. Dark Cyan: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Might help if I actually read the description before I start rolling dice.
Minute Meteors (REF DC 13 to avoid) on Dark Cyan: 1d4 ⇒ 2

"That's the best I can do," she tells the others. "And I can't climb that rope fast enough."

Cursing under his breath as the half elf coin sister held her ground, Kunala turned to the half orc sister, not sure what to think. Shaking his head, he'd never considered himself a coward, always looking for a duel. He'd killed eight orcs before, but not all at the same time and none of the wearing heavy armor while he was tired and wounded. Exhaling, if he was going to die, he'd rather get it over with than being found hiding in an old mine.

Shifting his feet slightly he tightened the grip on the pike decorated blade. Charging down the cave past Antonio lifting his blade overhead, more like chopping wood than an actual guard. As he nears, he swings the blade down in a chopping motion at the Dark cyan 2 orc on the left.

Bless +1 attack Charge 30 ft. AC 15 attack: MW Aldori dueling sword, sword scion, power attack/ 'opportune parry and riposte'
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 11 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 3 = 6
AOO: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 8
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 21 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 3 = 10

Taddy charges into the orcs with a large explosive mixture. He stumbles as he throws it and it lands at his feet blowing pieces of the halfling and two orcs that had been injured by Amelia and Antonio earlier everywhere.

Emboldened, the orcs rushed to surround Kunala and drew an attack attack using the opportunity created by the mass infiltration around him. The orcs concentrate on the deadly swordsman.

Two orcs cut into Kunala for 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 3) + 4 = 15 slashing damage

AoO by Kunala was triggered, a hit may prevent some damage

Party up in any order

Shocked that Kunala passed up a blocking position for a suicide run, Antonio shifted out of his defensive stance to attack Mr. Red, one of Kunala's attackers.

He feinted high first...
Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 vs. Enemy CMD or Sense Motive.

Then lunged low at Mr. Red.
mwk swept-hilt rapier sneak attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 13 for a possible 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + (2) = 9 piercing and precision damage.
If Feint is successful, attack is vs. Flat Footed AC

Shocked as he's splattered by bits and pieces of his friend and the orcs, Kunala hopes the coin sisters use the distraction to escape. Exhaling as the orcs rush past attacking, he focuses on the nearest, Magenta orc, chopping as the fellow goes past. Unable to dodge all of the attacks, bleeding from several wounds, he again chops at the same magenta orc, then brings his sword back into a 'high guard' to parry off another attack.

Bless +1 attack attack: MW Aldori dueling sword, sword scion, power attack/ 'opportune parry and riposte'
AOO, magenta: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 25 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 3 = 9
attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 14 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 3 = 12
After the failed 'parry' in round one he only has one panache point. If he downs magenta or the crit confirms he will have two. Either way he will spend one panache point to parry again, if he has a second panache point from killing magenta or the crit confirming he will Riposte
AOO to parry: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 15
Riposte: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 24 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 3 = 11
for AoO against Magenta
AOO, magenta: confirm drit: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 15 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 = 5

Not sure where Érme went on the battle map GM-T?

ROUND 3

As Kunala enters the fray of orc blades, the inquisitor curses under her breath at his heedless bravado;

Move & Attack (if able)

She shifts forward and attempts to spear one of the mass of orcs;

1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 1 = 19
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Kunala! I can pop some smoke of you need it!" Shouted Antonio in the fray.

Amelia forces the scene before her from her mind, refusing to think about while the battle rages. Clinging to the one thing she can do, she taps into that strange reserve of power she feels and sends another burst of starlight at one of the orcs.

Minute Meteors on Red, DC13 Reflex save negates: 1d4 ⇒ 3

red ref: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Recap:
Antonio tried to distract his target and failed, but Erme and Amelia both hit the most advanced orc and staggered him.

Kunala attacked an orc trying to flank him and staggered him preventing an attack. Kunala got in a well placed party before taking a slice to the neck.

Antonio takes slashing: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 3) + 4 = 16 and clings to consciousness as Kunala falls bleeding.

3 top orcs staggered

order
Party
Orcs

as Kunala falls bleeding.

Does Kunala need a roll to stabilize? Or do you want to roll that?

Minute Meteors on Red, DC13 Reflex save negates: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Moved on the map. I'm stating to think we might want to run if we can.

Antonio cursed with great feeling. Whether the orcs just got lucky, or they were just better (shudder), Kunala was down and Antonio was hanging on by a thread.
They were out of options. Antonio flicked a smoke bomb into his off hand and dropped it to the ground where it exploded into a thick smoke cloud concealing everything in a 10' square.
Then he ran away. Double Move.
He motioned to the other to run as well.

ROUND 4Buffs: Bless?

As Kunala falls, everything seems to happen at once.

The orc standing over the fallen swordsman is battered with a rain of tiny meteors - her sister's delivery she is sure. Then, as he turns to retreat, Antonio throws something down that causes smoke to billow forth!

Knowing to retreat meant dooming Kunala to a fate as food or a grisly trophy, she shifted backward (5ft Step back), then called upon her patron for justice;

"Lord of the Vault, guide my spear, there is a levy in blood that must be paid!" (Swift Action - Judgement of Justice (+1 to hit)

Melee (Reach) Attack - Longspear: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 18
Longspear Damage (P): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Am hoping the above happens simultaneously to Antonio's action so her attack isn't affected). Érme icon not on the map so just pushing back in the hope her spear can trigger AoO as she overwatches Kunala and provides a vanguard for the retreating party)

Erme skewers an orc as she joins Antonio on the line. As the smoke fills the area —You hear a loud voice that sounds like sergeant Krayquer ”Fall back you filthy green skins. That is poisonous! I will handle this!

The orcs break ranks and proceed to retreat to the south. The voice from the bottom of the rope speaks again. ”Get everyone on the rope so Ben can pull it up.

You cannot see the source of the voice.

Do I understand there's a chance, seeing the orcs retreating, of grabbing Kunala and getting away?

The orcs rush away, three of them in bad shape. Antonio and Erme see an opportunity to return and grab Kunala’s badly cut body. Erme is much closer.

@GM T: Just checking that Antonio & I can see Kunala's cloven body? Won't the smoke obscure it?

Kunala's body was cloven before the smoke appeared. In the time of confusion, the group prepares to withdraw.

Amelia looks at the rope then to the other two survivors. She could try climbing, but she's the weakest and slowest climber, which means she's the logical choice for the last one up if they want to get as many as possible out alive.

"Emre! C'mon! Please," she begs her sister.

Delaying action until after Antonio and Emre are on the rope, then she'll get on.

Antonio will scramble for the rope and grab on.

The rope rises as soon as the group gets on the rope, pulled by the mysterious "Ben" above. Antonio feels a compulsion to grab Kunala's sword, an amazing Aldori dueling sword, before the group manages to escape in the confusion of the smoke and the mimic for the traitorous Sergent Krayquer.

A half man, half bear of giant proportions is hauling up the rope hand over hand when you reach the top of the mine.
"Sarah Jean sent me and Sting to help out. We need to go. I'll help with some of your gear....and person pieces."

Érme jaw sets as she heeds her sister's plea.

Pausing for a second she places two gold coins across the eyes of the fallen swordsman;

"His toll paid for the Boneyard..."

Then the tall half-orc joins her sister and Antonio in being pulled clear of the fell mine...

After getting to the top of the shaft, you see the fairie dragon Velmita now visible that seems to have a knack for mimicry and the werebear "Ben" who while enlarged had pulled you up the rope with ease (and a pulley). The retreat to Sarah Jean's occurs without incident, and she thanks you for removing the base near her druidic sanctuary. Kunala's body is to be transported to Brevoy to be buried in full military honors supervised by an influential guard captain.

Sarah Jean and the orphans insist on you recounting your exploits at her home, and after a massive feast and rest you prepare to depart. After your brave assault into the middle of their sanctuary, the orcs and orogs relocated their forces in the night. Curiously they were seen retreating to Pitax afterwards by Velmita who was able to watch them for part of the night. In gratitude, Sarah Jean provides you with three amulets that grant you natural protection (they are amulets of natural armor +1).

With an escort of the faerie dragon Velmita and the werebear "Ben", you are making a beeline to catch the next caravan to Oleg's trading post.

Joining a supply train on their way to Oleg's Trading Post, you hear the caravan workers and guards talking.

The Stolen Lands have long resisted attempts at
colonization. Wedged between the River Kingdoms and
Brevoy, the approximately 35,000-square-mile swath
of wilderness has a long history of being regarded as
“stolen”—from and by whom depending on the point
of view. In Brevoy, the lands are considered stolen
from that nation’s southern expanse by bandits and
barbarians variously from Numeria, Iobaria, or the
River Kingdoms themselves. In the River Kingdoms,
the general impression is that Brevoy allowed the lands
to fall into the hands of monsters and worse in order to
rob the lords of the River Kingdoms of more lands to
rule. Even within the wildlands themselves, lands are
stolen and conquered in constant struggles between
bickering tribes of centaurs, kobolds, fey, trolls, bandits,
lizardfolk, boggards, barbarians, and more, all constantly
skirmishing to expand their holdings while not ceding
their own lands to the enemy.

As you rejoin the caravan they take a slight detour to the north towards Mivoy, and a familiar figure joins the caravan.

The Mivan war leader in his thirties joins the caravan. He seems to have aged in the face and especially the eyes after you left saw him supervising the removal of massive dead bodies at the fort near the river. He seems genuinely happy to see you and greets you enthusiastically.

"Well met! You will always be remembered as the ones that saved my last command. I have been relieved temporarily and had to duel a couple of times since I last saw you. They were going to send some bureaucratic fop to get you to Oleg's, but I insisted on the honor. I am hoping to train you further in the Aldori dueling arts along the way."

He thinks and adds: "The traditional Aldori style carries sway in Brevoy and Mivoy today. I am hoping it will add to your credibility in ruling your new kingdom. Balancing ledgers and putting numbers in columns is fine, but to run a kingdom you need to command respect. Those holding the dueling sword follow in the long line of those of us who have upheld the tradition for years."

Something within Amelia broke in the caves. She'd never before considered the cost that might have to be paid by her and her sister to regain the status and prestige they'd lost. She spent the trip to Oleg's wondering if it was worth it, and if perhaps she and Emre wouldn't be better served by heading back to more civilized lands. She almost broaches the subject a few times while they were away from the others, but her courage fails her every time.

So it was that when they meet up with Mivan captain, she feels drained and unable to muster her usual charm.

"Well met, good sir. I am glad to see that you are in good health."

So soon after losing Kunala and hearing braggadocio of the Aldori sword and its status draws Érme's ire;

"Aldori sword? We had one of those in our company. Alas the mettle could not match the metal and he was lost to us..."

The tall inquisitor pauses, composing herself, apologising in a tone also flat and weary;

"Apologies Sir. It has been an... arduous venture. One costly to us in spirit, please excuse my words. I meant no disrespect to your tradition..."

Antonio walked unusually quietly in the back of the pack.

At the Mivan war leader's words, he looked up and blinked.
"Oh. Yes. The Aldori Dueling sword."
He swung a long blanket wrapped object around and unwrapped a sword hilt.
"THIS sword was born by one of exceptional courage, but he is no longer here to bear it.
"I wonder though. There was a time when I was training with the aldori sword schools as well as the rapier. Heh, before I was disinherited that is. I wonder if I could swing it as well again?" He mused aloud, pulling an inch or so of the blade out, admiring the workmanship.

The captain nodded to Antonio and loosely held it in his hands, balancing the sword perpendicularly to Antonio. The sword swiveled and the hilt pointed to the swashbuckler. When he took the sword it felt good in his hand.

"Yes, you will bear this well. The past is the past."

As Antonio practices with the sword, he finds the style similar to the rapier, but his knowledge of the rapier faded as he learned the peculiarities of the new weapon.

weapon focus rapier replaced with exotic weapon prof Aldori sword

Arriving at the outpost, the group looked anxiously around.

As you pass the southeast corner of the fort you see the open gate on the south wall... A figure in a simple looking dress and hair up in a bandana holds an unhooded lantern just outside waving. She calls out "Smedley? to which Smedley answers "ayep"
The lantern casts enough light to get a fair view of the south face of what you can see now is a wooden palisade... roughly 10 or 12 feet high, and watchtowers on each corner another ten feet or so higher. Just inside on the left is a stable, you see three more small structures inside... nothing else immediately recognizable.
A barrel-chested man with light balding hair and trim beard pulls a steaming bucket from a spit over a firepit centered between a building to the immediate right and a larger one directly north. A ladder leans up against the structure to the immediate right, and the man carries the steaming bucket up the ladder, barely glancing at you.
"Come on in and get unloaded... we'll get you fed while we wait for the others. I'm Svetlana" as you approach. She turns to the man climbing the ladder "Oleg ... can't that wait?"