Yep, good luck. I'll still check in periodically, but understand. A PM would probably be helpful for everyone if things do resume.
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I keep checking too although I actually didn't get the notice of your post since I haven't posted here in a while. I'm hoping for a revival too. I like this group quite a bit.
"No kidding. If we can figure out how to get someone out of there or into there we might be able to sow some more discord. Otherwise we either wait him out or take the gamble that his threat against Oleg's was a bluff and explore a bit more before coming back here."
"Yes, a good thing. I suppose there are others about that we can eventually recover for Oleg or ourselves." She shakes her head sadly at Arkady's efforts. "I suppose we should set a couple of our most stealthy watchers within sight of the fort and keep the rest of us further away but within running distance. I have a spell prepared that will let them whisper to us from afar if they see anything."
Whoa, glad things are ok Ryuko. I'm back and will be posting sometime today.
"Well done. Remind me never to get the rest of you angry with me. Are you ok Kesten or do we need to see to some healing for you? I hope this is just coincidence that the tatzylwyrm was here and not some Stag Lord plot." She considers for a moment whether she has ever heard tales of men using the small wyrms before.
This is GenCon week, so I expect to be unable to post Wed-Sun. Please GM NPC as needed to keep things moving.
"What in the nine hells is that thing!?! Kesten, you're supposed to be watching for trouble. Did you think it would make a nice pet or something?" Kata moves up to within 30 feet of the dragon and glares at it with a baleful look that would chill the blood.
"Not a trick I've learned yet I'm afraid cousin. I can set a fire for you easy enough if I memorize the spell, but that isn't going to do us much good with this situation."
"I agree, but once we figure out what is going on with the hill and road, I think it might make sense to attempt a search for any hidden ways in or out."
Kata listens to the words of the men, "Not 40, maybe less than 30. That's good news. I'm suspicious of what Devlin is finding. Do you think they might have set traps? I'm wary of looking for a secret way in until we know more. I like this idea of camping away and watching for parties coming or going. If we can catch a few, there is much we might learn."
Have to echo no plans on a frontal assault. We'll either find a weakness to exploit or we won't. If we do, our action is entirely dependent on what that is. If we find a sneaky way in, what is wrong with picking off a number of people and then falling back once things become overwhelming. Depending on how we approach it, they might not even know we're there for a long time. If we don't find a way in and he sends out a small force, we'll pick them off, get more intelligence about the fort and be in a better position for the next decisions. Chances are, that will present an opportunity to either infiltrate the fort or sow some havoc with a tactic like sending in the alcohol. If he sends out his giant force, we retreat, send someone back to warn Oleg's. We can then either harass them in the woods or stay away and harass them once they go after Oleg's. I'd rather be outside with the ability to pick them off than trapped inside. Edit: From a metagaming standpoint, I'll also add that I trust Ryuko. RPGs are cooperative storytelling between a GM and the players, not about the GM trying to kill us all (well, not usually). Maybe I misread his intent, but I believe Ryuko was trying to get us moving toward the fort. I'm confident that unless we do something completely stupid (like a full-on frontal assault), he'll give us an opportunity for corrective action. I'm all for playing out the personalities of our characters, but I don't think holing up at Oleg's is the intent here.
"That's a great idea Kheldor. Do not many fortresses have some extra way out? For escape or as a means of sending men out to surprise those outside. I think there is a name for it, but it escapes me. Soldiering was not something I received a lot of education in. Arkady also has some good thoughts. Perhaps we do a little scouting from a safe distance while we have light and see if they send anyone out for hunting. When it gets dark, we can look for a secret passage. My mists might also be easier to hide at night."
"It would be handy if Blackthorn could fly, but I have little to offer unless we can find watchers or a way through the walls by negotiation, force or trickery. I agree with Arkady that we should scout around the edge of the walls. I do have a spell I could prepare tomorrow that would create a misty vapor around me, but it only extends for 20-feet on each side of me so I fear it may be too evident that it is a spell."
You're still alive Marcus. Welcome back. I think we left you at Oleg's :)
"Well, here's a dilemma. This looks like it might be the Sycamore tree that Kressle told us about where the mites live. But, that would be a distraction from our current mission unless we were able to learn more about the bandits from them. Shall we just mark the location of this tree and come back to it after we deal with the Stag Lord?"
As we settle in for the evening meal, Kata is quiet and thoughtful, perhaps thinking of the conflict ahead.
"Well they're certainly not just out here waiting for us yet, but I suppose we will need to be even more wary tomorrow."
Kata steps up and mounts her horse. "We are united in our desire to remove the Stag Lord. Let's head south and see what we find today."
Kata sighs, "So many strange notions of honor. Drugged so we can slay him in his stupor instead of dead before we arrive. What is important is that we purge the land of his influence. But no matter. I'm not going to argue and I suspect the man and many of his followers will drink heavily given the opportunity. If we meet some of his men along the way, it should not be difficult for me to charm them and they will take the liquor willingly. If we do not find any, other options may need to be considered..."
That sounds like a good plan to me. Yes, Kata will be a lot quicker to use every tool at our disposal. Even our companions. Of course, better still if we find a bandit to charm along the way.
I think you're playing Arkady great. Slow is exactly how I see him. And somewhat oblivious. I'll wait till morning to post again. If we don't find some bandits to use along the way, Kata's view will be to use Linier and Devlin to deliver the alcohol. Which others may not like :)
Only defeating the Stag Lord will end this conflict. Morning cannot come soon enough. "Good night everyone. I'm going to enjoy a night in a bed instead of the hard ground I'll see you all before first light."
"There is risk either way. If we go, we may leave the trading post exposed and expose ourselves on the road. If we stay, we may not be able to hold the fort. I agree with those that want to scout. Once we know more, we can decide whether to pull back to the trading post, try to lure the Stag Lord from his fort or attempt a more direct assault."
"Well it is certainly worth seeing if our fae friends can fly over the fort. If we make it a game to them to see how many different people they can spot and recount to us, we might get a good report. The liquor is trickier. Could we disguise some of our group as merchants and allow them to seize the cargo?"
"I'm sure they can do that as well, though what we think is important and what they do may have some differences."
"You are right about that Anton. Best to use them in an initial distraction that appeals to their love of play than to count on them for the more disciplined actions of battle."
"Kheldor speaks wisely. Let us learn more. The key to the keep may yet lie in an area we have not yet explored. If that fails, we have the alcohol or can try finding another way in."
"My mouth waters at the thought of what she might make with those. I hope we have an easy time of it between here and there. I'm sure we'll have battles aplenty when we turn to the south."
"Dust Anton. I suppose you are right, though here, the dust is to be greenery and the fae." Kata congratulates Devlin and Arkady on their hunting sucess, "We make good progress. There seems to be little in this area though perhaps that is to change today. We are not far from being back near Oleg's are we?"
"Even though its going to take a lot of time, I think we need to do what we can to make these lands safe, and that includes removing these traps. Perhaps Oleg could take them off our hands and sell them to a more responsible hunter."
"Gods! Anton! What is that beastly device?" She kneels down to look at his mangled leg and then joins Arkady and the other men looking for more trouble.
That's actually one of the nice aspects of Kingmaker. Easier than most games working people in and out. I'm running a Skull and Shackles game right now and your only choices would be to GM NPC them or have them meet with a grisly end which doesn't leave much opportunity to slip back in.
"I'm afraid I don't have a better idea. I can make you larger to make pushing the dirt around easier, but I think that is the best we can do for now."
Me too. You're running a great game. Breaks when you need them are no big deal.
Kata moves to examine the body and severed rope more closely. I wonder if there is any magic at play here...
"That is a devilishly good question Anton. I wonder if there are other forces at play here."
Kata looks over the remains of the hunter. Killed by his own craft. Either this man wasn't very skilled or something else took place.
"I agree, let's get some rest. Do you all want to continue to the west tomorrow? Or, shall we go toward one of these other areas our new friends have alerted us to?"
"You are most kind Anton. I am grateful we have you and Arkady so courageous in the face of such might. I wonder what we shall find in this place." Kata moves on into the ruins, looking for clues about its history and that of the bear. I wonder if the fae had a hand in addition to the god? Men changing into beasts hints of their nature.
The furious clash of Arkady, Anton and the bear leaves Kata's heart hammering and as the bear falls, she approaches the men, shaking with sadness over the bravery shown by Gildas and stunned by the strange transformation of the bear. "Anton, that was a mighty blow. There is no doubt the Lord in Iron favors you this day." She puts her hand to the horse, stroking it gently as Arkady goes to bring the water. "Easy Gildas, you've shown yourself to be a loyal and true companion today. Thank you." She watches as the horse laps the water and its wounds heal. By the gods, what miracles I witness today.
If I could figure out how to gift you a pledge I would with all of the work you're putting in on this. If you see a way, let me know. Next project will probably be seeking funding mid-Autumn or so. I'll post about it when it comes along as long as folks don't mind.
We already cleared the final hurdle, but if you have any interest in Midgard Tales and haven't signed up yet, you still have a few hours. The amount of content is amazing:
Kata watches the bear emerge in horror. Lantern King! Never have I seen such a terrible creature. Give me strength to stand by my friends and not flee in terror.
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