Hrafen Vormenghast's page

Well, as someone who did a fair amount of kingdom-building in a home-brew game (where, by the 70th 'turn' we had ended-up with a size 123 kingdom, with Economy 170, Loyalty 209, and Stability 206), I can tell you that Economy is what you need to super-charge to maximize kingdom growth; it helps in the early days to really 'kickstart' the development of the kingdom, and Loyalty and Stability are easy-enough to maximize through building choices/kingdom upgrades/judicious selection of PCs and NPCs for kingdom rulership roles.

I may like crunching numbers ;-)

@DM Bloodgargler: Will you just be using the 'basic' kingdom-building rules, or the official 3rd-party ones from John Brazer?

Honestly? I think that we should see *which* kingdom-building system our lovely GM is planning to use, since, from memory, the Paizo-specific one assigns bonuses to various things depending on alignment, and different roles within the kingdom require different ability scores.

That said, as you say, 'by the numbers', a Lawful Neutral society would be a fair compromise...

Hrafen nods thoughtfully.

"The Stag Fort is probably an excellent spot to use as our capital - it is in a good location, as you say, near both the lake and the river, providing for water transport, is fairly central to the area we will likely end-up claiming, and has the advantage of already being partially fortified; we just need to renew the existing defenses."

He then grins wolfishly.

"It also has the advantage of being fairly close to Dovan; when he hears about this particular turn of events, I doubt that he will be pleased..."

Hrafen then frowns.

"Of course, we should also probably set about on a solid plan of exploration, to fully pacify and document the surrounding territory..."

Since, by the looks of the map, there is still a *lot* of unexplored land...

I haven't minded in the slightest.

That said, I think Hrafen's intentions towards Dovan are pretty clear ;-)

Hrafen's mouth forms a hard line.

"The Hobgoblin scum have been removed. From what we can tell, their captives have survived."

You called...?

Hrafen has difficulty holding his tongue, but inwardly settles for imagining Dovan taking an acid bath, keeping an eye on him until the man is out of view.

Hrafen nods his thanks to Durielle, then hustles after the others, as fast as his portly form will allow.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16.

Despite looking quite singed, Hrafen grins, and fires a stream of force missiles at the leader.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 1) + 8 = 14 Force damage.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18.

Quickly assessing the situation, Hrafen decides that having his allies in the side room out front is good for his continued health, and attempts to finish-off the wounded goblinoid in the room, so that they are free to move out and engage the new threat.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 3) + 8 = 16 Force damage.

Hrafen steps around to the edge of the door, and the sends a spray of acid coursing into the room.

Moving to G7.

Narrowly avoiding both his own party, and the captive.

Acidic Burning Hands: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 2, 2) + 10 = 20 Acid damage. DC 17 Reflex for half.

Hrafen urges his mount forward (to G 11), and attempts to liquefy the two hobgoblins at the base of the stairs.

Acidic Burning Hands: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 3, 3) + 10 = 23 Acid damage. DC 17 Reflex save for half.

"Any other takers, or does poor Vladimir need to do all the work?"

Unless anyone else steps up, I will simply burn the door off its hinges (since, as per the objects/hardness rules, wood is susceptible to fire ;-))

"Well, we could simply try opening it, as a first option... Failing that, we can try brute strength, or I can melt the door off its hinges."

"Screw him. He can burn like the rest. We need to take the tower, now!"

Hrafen looks unsure.

"They mentioned having healers in there... we should press our advantage, whilst they are still wrong-footed!"

Hrafen spurs his mount forward...

To W 23.

...and unleashes another gout of acid, which envelops the two hobgoblins closest to the door.

Acidic Burning Hands: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 4, 1) + 10 = 20 Acid damage. DC 17 Reflex for half.

With a moderately terrifying grin, Hrafen urges his mount forward (to K 25), and then liquifies Vladimir and Balter's foes.

Acidic Burning Hands: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 4, 1) + 10 = 21 Acid damage. DC 17 Reflex for half.

"Quick! We need to get into the tower!"

Hrafen fires a volley at one of the tower archers.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 2) + 8 = 18 Force damage.

With a hiss of pain, Hrafen narrows his eyes, and sends a fusillade of force missiles at the hobgoblin that hurt him so grievously.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 1) + 8 = 18 Force damage.

Note: This is against the guy who just Crit Hrafen.

Hrafen spurs his mount forward (G23), and attempts to liquify two of the hobgoblins (I 25/26).

Acidic Burning Hands: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 2, 3) + 10 = 22 Acid damage. DC 17 Reflex for half.

Heh. After Dovan's last comment, Hrafen is sorely tempted to give him a personal demonstration of Hrafen's peak effectiveness ;-)

With a sigh, Hrafen effortlessly lobs a blob of acid at one of the hobgoblins.

Acid Splash (Touch): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12, for 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Acid damage.

Confident that his allies have the situation well in hand, Hrafen conserves his arcane energy.

Delay.

With a sigh of annoyance, Hrafen spurs his mount around the melee (to S30), and fires a brace of force missiles at the retreating goblinoid.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 3) + 8 = 16 Force damage.

Hrafen coaxes Archibald forward to M18, and then attempts to liquefy the two unfortunate (unengaged) hobgoblins in front of him.

Acidic Burning Hands: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 1, 3) + 10 = 19 Acid damage. DC 17 Reflex save for half.

@Marisol: As per the Bluff rules, the target(s) of my message automatically understand, if I succeed at the check (which I did) - it is only people that overhear what I am saying, and are *not* the intended target, that need to make a Sense Motive check.

Hrafen raises a warning hand.

"Careful. I see possible guards in the brush on the far side of the barn... about 120' away."

Bluff(to subtly pass the message along): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25.

Still here!

Hrafen looks askance at Balter.

"I'll have you know that I was well-known for several delicious varietals before I relocated here. If I can get my hands on quality ingredients, I can promise you some fine brewing!"

He then grins at Marisol, the sparkle once again returning to his eyes.

"Now that sounds like something to look forward to doing!"

Hrafen shrugs.

"Agreed, but there aren't that many halflings in the area; practically all of the settlers are human... Still, it would be rather nice if such a policy was adopted locally..."

"Well," Hrafen says thoughtfully, "A network of breweries would be a remarkably civilised way to run a fiefdom..."

"Well then, we should be on our way. Dovan won't get liquefied without us. I do agree, though, that not *everyone* there should die - there are good folk who work in the surrounding settlement; they are just frightened of Dovan, and see him as the lesser evil.

When he and his men are removed, I am sure we can work with them to build a better community, and link them in with the other burgeoning settlements that we have helped in the are."

Hrafen nods.

"Don't worry about the lieutenant, though - we are on our way south to provide a permanent solution to that particular problem..."

Hrafen nods.

"Agreed. Let's break the back of the organised banditry in the area, and *then* sort out how to govern things more effectively."

Hrafen is all for 1) staying the night in a soft bed, and 2) going after Dovan in the morning.

The Wand of CLW sounds like a good idea. With regard to the potions, however, can I suggest looking at non-healing alternatives? An emergency Potion of Remove Blindness/Deafness (300gp), for example, although it may never be needed, if it *is* needed, will be difficult to access if we don't have one with us, whilst we are out exploring.

"We've got one more step left to break the back of the organised banditry in this region; once that looming threat has been dealt with, I think I can safely say that we will be able to deal with other, lesser dangers."

Definitely up for finding a tatzlwyrm for Oleg, but *after* finishing-off Dovan.

"Well, if you would like to be one, I am sure Oleg could order in a scroll that I could use to make it so...", Hrafen chips in with a devilish wink.

Hrafen frowns thoughtfully.

"Well then, it sounds like we have every right to evict the 'former' bandit known as Dovan."

Upon hearing that trade has picked-up with Chafwinth, Hrafen smiles.

"I am rightly glad to hear that! Those honest really deserved a break..."

For once, Hrafen looks enthusiastic.

"It is good to be back - It will be nice to have a warm bed, and an excellent meal!"

The issue is, he is in an extremely defensible position, and has just had the other major players (Stag Lord, Nettle) in the area removed - so he will see himself as operating from a position of power...

Yeah, Hrafen isn't going to be keen on that - Dovan hasn't exactly proven himself to be redeemable; some of his flunkies, on the other hand, might be.

If you are really keen to give him a chance, feel free to try and convince Hrafen :-)

Hrafen nods in satisfaction.

"It was no less than they deserved. I agree - let's see what can be salvaged, before we lay Nettles to rest."

Unperturbed by the strong smell of acid, Hrafen dismounts, and starts his search.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27.

There were just four at the crossing, right?

Hrafen nods.

"I'll admit, it took us longer than we were expecting."

Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20.

He pulls up Archibald in front of them, and then casts a spell, attempting to liquefy them all in a great gout of acid.

Acidic Burning Hands: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 3, 3) + 10 = 25 Acid damage, DC 17 for half.

"I am happy to pay them a visit today; I still have plenty of arcane power at my disposal."

Hrafen shakes his head.

"There is still the second patrol. We should wait for them to come back, and then go after the bridge group."

With a snarl, Archibald hustles forward, and attempts to bite F (or D if Marisol takes F out).

Bite: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27, for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 damage.

Meanwhile, Hrafen waddles forward, and fires a volley of force missiles at A.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 4) + 8 = 18 Force damage.

Hrafen waddles forward (to O17), and hammers at the closest bandit with force missiles.

Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 2) + 8 = 17 Force damage.

Archibald then darts forward, and attempts to bite a bandit (the same one, if he is still standing; otherwise, moving on to the next one).

Bite: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18, for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage.

Hrafen shrugs.

"From what we saw of him, I highly doubt he stood guard at the main gate... After all, we brought a delivery of alcohol, and we didn't see him until will started creating a ruckus... I dare say that they would be *more* suspicious if they saw him on their approach."

He then looks thoughtful for a moment.

"That said, I could probably work on disguising some of you as generic 'bandits', so that they don't realise that anything is wrong until it is too late..."