Hoo-ha! It's finally started!

[Lee Hanna]

After at least a year of waiting and planning, I've finally begun running this AP. It's a big party, 6 players, with emphasis on melee combat (Cavalier, Ranger, Barbarian, Inquisitor, Oracle, Rogue).

As I suspected, they blew through the fight at Oleg's in 2 rounds and change. They shot straight to the Thorn River Camp, and mopped that up in 6 rounds (2 got away, they let one run free). That time, I got some licks in, as Kressle KO'd the barbarian and three others got peppered with arrows, and down to low hp.

After that, they at least took their time exploring their way down to the Stag Lord's Fort, but there they are, scoping it out while still 1st level. I figure on perusing this forum for suggestions used in similar situations (not tonight, though). My main thought is to show them something as they watch, to let them see that this is a pretty powerful outfit.

I'm also attempting to be digital-DM for the first time, as I use Combat Manager for me at the table and Epic Words away from the table. So far, neither has quite lived up to my hopes.

[GM_Solspiral]

Highly recommend the 6 player conversion

[Philip Knowsley]

Lee Hanna wrote:

After at least a year of waiting and planning, I've finally begun running this AP.

My main thought is to show them something as they watch, to let them see that this is a pretty powerful outfit.

Cool - seen some of your suggestions on these hallowed boards, & you seem

like you're ready for the task at hand! :) Happy gaming.

As for the 2nd...yes, there have been similar problems encountered by
other GM's...& suggestions made...but I don't know in which threads. Perhaps
search Stag Lord...?

Spoiler:

Other than that, you could have the fort attacked by something the
players know they won't be able to handle - e.g. trolls...?
If you want to telegraph the SL's prowess with the bow - you could perhaps
have them see a dude wearing antlers 'one-shot' a troll from the walls...? But
in general the Bandits take out the *insert monsters here* easily...

[DundjinnMasta]

Spoiler:

If you use the above suggestion then I would also suggest maybe show-casing some of the tension between Akiros and the Stag Lord at that time. Maybe some yelling that carries a distance where Akiros is blaming him for the deaths of some of the men because he didn't respond fast enough after being deep in his cup or something. (Which also serves to showcase his alcoholism if the PCs didn't pick it up from one of the bandits).

[Tangaroa]

Well, run the 6 party conversion to stiffen things up.

For Akiros, I had the party encounter him early, and a priest recognize him with knowledge of his past. Jhod would do in a pinch.

[Lloyd Jackson]

Seconding the troll idea. The Stag Lord actually did that in my campaign, and the players quickly took him seriously.

[Lee Hanna]

ooo, and I wanted to point out the trolls perhaps soon anyway....

[DM_aka_Dudemeister]

Alternatively you can let them try to take on the fort at level 1 and then after they've succeeded beyond all odds high five them for their chutzpah.

[Lloyd Jackson]

There is that too. Kill 'em in their sleep.

[Touc]

I warned my players early on that the encounters weren't guaranteed to be level-appropriate. The bandit lord's reputation should precede him, and if they want to assault the fort, I wouldn't use DM fiat to have a perfectly timed encounter to show them how deadly the enemy is. It would be legendary if they succeed and humbling if they fail. Fatalities will be a reality in Kingmaker, and the players aren't the first to have tried to "civilize" this region.

My players contemplated an assault at 2nd level but reconsidered, seeing an armed fort with no easy approach. Of course, they were 4 instead of 6, and if you haven't beefed up the game with the 6 person conversion, confidence may be running high.

[Lee Hanna]

At least two players were aware they were in over their head, they're just looking for an in-game reason for their characters to figure it out. The party leader is a cavalier, so he's all about the glory, and is game no matter what. There's also the matter of the password they got, which they suspect is perishable, so there's a time element, too.

[Duskrunner1]

In a way this can work to the advantage of story. If the party infiltrates the compound with the password, and are able to pass themselves off as bandits they might realize that attempting to take over the "keep" is a poor idea. At that point you can play up the toughness/ruggedness of those that are there with various acts/training that they are doing. After a little time there the pcs might realize that they are in over their heads. Granted if they think that a fight is a good thing then...

Spoiler:

have the owlbear that is in there roar and rattle the cage some. That should get them to think twice. If they decide not to go the sneaky route then simply have a wandering monster that you know the party could not handle visit the exterior of the keep and have the archers/zombies take it down.

[Lee Hanna]

I had thought the owlbear's hoots and cage-rattling would be something they would hear from their watchpost.

I don't know what they will do next-- the next game will be after New Year's, so I intend to bug them about plans shortly before that date. Infiltrate, attack, or avoid?

I kind of hope they try the infiltrate thing, it would be a chance to show off what awaits within. One PC has an innate Disguise Self spell, and another has lots of ranks in Diplomacy and Bluff, it could be attempted.

I like random weather tables, and I've rolled up some heavy snow coming in the next in-game day. I had already considered giving Hargulka (or an ally of his) some kind of weather-control magic to begin with. Using that to cover a (doomed) assault by the trolls might be a fun option.

Hmm, still thinking out loud here, maybe one of the other anti-bandit expeditions takes a shot at it, and gets wiped out, in view of the party?