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Topic: Jade Regent Adventure Path
Subject: Pardon me, I am still fine-tuning and calibrating my snarky horseradish tranceivers
“Now, as you could guess, there's a lot of talk about the Marsh . . . Like the marsh monster. That one is popular too.”
Nona snorted impolitely. “Necromancy was never my strong suit, but I question the utility of a spell designed to turn the caster into a swamp zombie. I doubt this 'witch' is related to the goblin problem, unless maybe they got her. Either way, I'm not so interested in crazy old hermit ladies who live alone in questionable locales.”
“If you could tell me anything about that marsh monster, though, I'd be all ears. Believe it or not, Fox, but your elegant and refined friend is here to see about collecting a portion of the sheriff's bounty for herself.”
She gave Fox a sidelong glance. “You know, I could probably use someone of your mysterious and diverse skillset in the swamp. I would not object if you wished to join us. That is, if you're not too busy idling around being maddenly secretive and inscrutible.”
A sudden trill of excitement shot through a distant part of Nona's psyche, where her mental bond with her familiar resided. Sera had gained access to the establishment.
The nightengale shot like a small brown arrow over the inn's patrons, straight for the top of Fox's head.
“Fox, Fox, Fox, hello, hello, hello!” Sera landed on Fox's head and hopped around.
Nona shot her familiar a note of annoyance, reminding the bird to mind her manners. Sera returned with a mock-innocent confusion, as if to say 'what did I do?'
“I was wondering where you were, Serafina. Nona was worried you got lost, again.”
Sera let a self-righteous vibe through their shared empathic bond. Nona would swear she had no idea where the bird picked up that kind of behaviour. Nona returned with the mental equivalent of a silly face.
Nona lifted her cup to her lips, cool and aloof, deigning not to look at her familiar. “I have no idea what you're talking about, Fox. Just because you're too lazy to pour your own tea—”
“Yes, you were. You even poured tea for us, since tea is good for the nerves, using your magic so that the kettle wouldn't spill." Fox replied smoothly, standing from her seat just out of reach of Nona, "There's no need to be so flustered~ and Serafina, you should be happy. Nona really cares about you, that's all.”
Sometimes Nona wondered what went on in Fox's head. This was not one of those times. She almost missed the social cue to respond, her psychic link being filled with a tit-for-tat exchange of projected emotions.
“Hah. As if I could lose her in this town. She would have to be literally more than mile away before I had to worry about what happened to her.”
Nona stood up from her stool. “Shoulder, please,” she told Sera.
“Nona!”
Nona froze instantly. A brief moment of unpoised panic shot through her mind and Sera took off immediately. She knew that voice. Nona didn't have time to turn. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her body.
“Oh, Hell...” Nona managed before she was swung around in a circle like a rag doll.
'Cousin' Alexis Gunwalder was a very affectionate woman. The fact Nona's family were close friends with Alexis' adopted mother made them instant relatives. Nona let a moment pass to regain her composure.
“Hello you to Fox, you both here about the goblins?”
“Is that the reason for your choice of ensemble? Here I just figured you were taking your work home with you.”
On a sudden insight, Nona felt like she was being watched. Further down the bar, a pale man with a long Varisian scarf glanced their way. Before he turned away, Nona caught sight of his eyes—all pale yellow and faintly luminescent.
Knowledge [the planes] Take 10 = 18
A fetchling. Kayal in their own language. She recognised this character from around town. She didn't know what he did or who he was, but she did remember his name. Zwei. She had seen him with Shalelu once. If he knew Shalelu, he probably had enough reason to hunt goblins, and certainly he looked like no stranger to adventure.
Acting on that impulse, she left Fox and Alexis to talk and went to greet the young man. She leaned on the bar next to him.
“We don't see many kayal around Sandpoint. My name is Nona Kingsley. May I presume to learn yours?”
(presuming short response, ideally involving a name, but not detered without one)
“I couldn't help but notice you're dressed for adventure. As it so happens, my friends over there are putting together a venture into Brinestump Marsh. In the interest of rounding out our numbers and perhaps finding yourself with the means to acquire some form of employment, I don't suppose I could convince you to join us?”
Posted on 2014-05-07 at 08:07:16.
Edited on 2014-05-07 at 08:09:42 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Feast of the Tuskgutter
13 Sarenith
Tuskgutter's Lair; E4
Narlmarches
Kyrie and Miguel (with Zeran's assistance, coaching, and direction, freely given) hefted the bulky Tuskgutter by the legs into the back of the wagon. They wrapped the massive slab of pork up in a tarp to keep the necrophagous insects off the body until they made it back to Oleg's.
There was some daylight left, and just a bit of area left to explore, so they completed the map for this area of the forest and turned north for the last minutes of daylight before it was time to make camp. Kyrie finished off what her power and Miguel's magic had started earlier healing Jargon. (+4hp Jargon Full)
Jargon 19/19
The middle of the night saw another of the same, by now expected, interruption as it often did. This interruption was short, and practically over before any of the party had time to rub the sleep from their eyes.
On Kyrie's watch, Jargon suddenly released an angry scream from the vicinity of the wagon. From the same location there came an injured yelp before Kyrie had time to grab her shovel and get to her feet. By the wagon she could barely make out the cowering shape of a big thylacine, with Jargon Hooves half standing on it. (Thylacine Bloodied)
The carnivorous marsupial left at a dead run, long prehensile tail tucked between its legs. The sounds woke the rest of the party, but by the time they opened their eyes there was nothing to see but the faintest glimpse of the brush thylacine's retreat.
Jargon stamped about for a couple moments after the predator left, but before long Frodrick was able to calm her and make her go back to sleep.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 – Yeah, that's right, you run away.
Giles 6/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 10 bullets
Thylacine: Nooope, nope, nope, nope, nope, Bloodied
Travelling
14-16 Sarenith
Hexes: E4 – B5
Old Tuskgutter's body attracted flies over the next hot few days, but was covered well enough to avoid the brunt of their depredations.
The days were some of the hottest of the season so far. The official start of summer was still two weeks away, but the sun beat down from cloudless skies. Even under the shade of the forest canopy it was as much as the Charter party could do to keep moving. Crossing the ford over the Thorn River was the most active part of the journey as everyone went to soak their heads in the coolish waters.
Late in the day on the 15th they made it out of the forest and into the direct light of the sun. After just an hour in the sun the adventurers were beginning to suffer the effects of the heat. Fortunately by that point the sun was already going down and they were soon out of the worst of the heat. (-2sub Frodrick, -4sub Jargon, -4sub Giles, -2sub Kyrie, -2sub Miguel, -1sub Zeran)
Those wearing armour (read: everybody including Jargon) took the worst of the heat, with their thick padding trapping in body heat. Overnight the party recovered, but leftover sunburns on faces and arms remained the next day.
The next day looked to be almost as hot, but the party made it back safe to Oleg's just after noon. The trading post was surprised to see the group return early. Quickly the post took on a busy air of excitement in preparations to hold the feast of the year, the legendary Tuskgutter.
“Stefan,” Oleg called the boy. “You take Dandy Girl Uriel and go with Frodrick to the edge of the forest. Cut some sturdy, long branches. We'll need to make a proper spit to get this sucker cooked right. Don't take too long, neither. Get back before it gets too hot.”
Stefan took a faded black mare from the stables. He had her saddled in short order and was ready to set out at Frodrick's command.
Adela and Svetlana took to skinning the boar in the courtyard. The heat had not done too much damage to the body. Luka and Tanya were employed to help with food preparations for the non-boar parts of the feast, collecting vegetables and beginning soups.
While Oleg was busy directing the preparations to move the large tables into one long extended table at one end of the courtyard, Gavril saw to Kyrie's purchase, as well as Frodrick's order for better barding for Jargon, which would arrive within the week.
Hunters and trappers passing by soon joined in with eager chatter, and most ended up staying for the rest of the day. By nightfall the population of the small border fort was enough to make for proper festivities.
(Oh, by the way, did I mention? +25XP from Miguel and Giles' roleplay exchange. Don't look now, but I think y'all leveled up.)
(Oh yeah, Giles has healed a bit over time--12/19. No real wounds left, but scratches and lingering soreness remains.)
Posted on 2014-05-06 at 21:39:17.
Edited on 2014-05-15 at 20:44:50 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Jade Regent Adventure Path
Subject: Not used to posting as a player... where is my date stamp!?
Nona rolled the kinks out of her sore wrist as she stepped out onto Tower Street. She was done her work early for the day, having finished copying out her latest job, The Ecology of Hell – Lower Orders, ahead of schedule.
The late afternoon was absolutely gorgeous, and it was too early to head home yet, so Nona decided to reward her hard work with supper. She was most of the way to Risa's Place, the best place in town for spiced potatoes and a good old story, particularly if one wished to avoid the tourists, when she noticed the goblin ear bounty.
She must have passed it half a dozen times this week, to and from work, and there was no avoiding talk about the goblins' fireworks display last night, but she had been so wrapped up in her work she hadn't had time to pay attention.
Now she took the time to read it. Ten gold per ear. That was good money. Nona wondered if anyone had heard back from the group of adventurers that left for the marsh. Word was they were a reckless, hot-blooded looking bunch. Maybe they would turn up, anyway.
“Do you know what this is, Sera?” The nightingale on her shoulder perked up at the mention of her name. She glanced at the picture of the goblin on the bounty poster.
“Another chance for you to get us killed?” The small, brownish passerine was Nona's optimism personified. Or at least that's what she told people.
“Even better,” Nona told her familiar. “Supplementary income.” Serafina chirped her low opinion of this. “Come on, it'll be fun, you'll see. Take a message.” She held two fingers out in front of her as a perch. Sera hopped down her arm. “To Brodert Quink. Three lines. Nona Kingsley will not be coming in for a few days next week. Travelling over weekend. Return Oathday (Wednesday) expected. Repeat back to me.”
“Nona not coming next week. Travelling. Return Oathday expected.”
Close enough. Retention was never perfect with new familiars. They simply did not have the attention span for it. “Good enough. Meet me at the Rusty Dragon. Now go.” She threw Sera into the air, and the little bird quickly disappeared back to the sage's home where Nona worked as a scribe.
It was an extra twenty minutes walk to the Rusty Dragon, with its ever-present “Help Wanted” board and its great, rusting dragon statue on the roof. There was no better place to go in all of Sandpoint to find a group of adventurers looking for some work. Or at least, that was more the case when the town was a major hub for adventure. These days Sandpoint was a little quieter though certainly adventurers of all sorts came and went. Nevertheless, if there was anyone else in town making plans to head into Brinestump, they'd be found here.
Nona went right in. While she was only rarely among the adventuring crowd, she was a frequent enough patron that they knew her name here. She was friends of friends with the owner, Ameiko Kaijitsu.
It was a fairly busy crowd tonight. Last night's fireworks display would have brought in many, most looking to talk or witness the next band of adventurers set out—but most would be just that, all excited or nervous talk.
She caught sight of Fox in her performing clothes, resting by the bar. Nona went over to say hi. Fox would know about anything interesting going on in the Dragon, and would have a better grasp of recent events.
“So what's going on in the world of Sandpoint's favourite homeless waif? If you feel like sharing, that is.” Nona asked as she settled onto the stool next to the short Tian woman.
(Note this is going to be the one and only time I reference the Golarion days of the week. I'm sure literally nobody cares.)
Posted on 2014-05-06 at 01:30:47.
Edited on 2014-05-06 at 01:32:08 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Q&A
Subject: Loot
In the dust hole of the Tuskgutter's little den, by the way, you find a disused, dirt covered steel heavy shield. It has a small layer of dirt caked-on, but upon inspection you realize it is actually quite well made, and with a little cleaning up would serve as a very useful mwk Steel Heavy Shield.
There is also a pair of dirty copper bracelets, and dirt-covered gold and silver coins adding up to 59.8G
Additionally, a small vial of liquid was found in a decayed leather belt pouch.
-mwk Heavy Steel Shield
-Copper Bracelets (unappraised) x2
-Potion???
-59.8G
Posted on 2014-05-04 at 21:12:37.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Not counting the Elk, the shambler was less of a threat.
Giles stepped up beside Kyrie, taking the boar's flank across from Miguel. He struck with unerring accuracy, divination magic guiding his hand. He cut through the Tuskgutter's thick hide, his sword opening a shallow gash across the beast's flank (-4dmg Tuskgutter Badly Wounded). though the spell guiding his hand did not guide anything more than his accuracy, the blow was enough to begin wearing down the old boar.
With several wounds already, the Tuskgutter was only growing angrier and more violent. With Jargon retreating, he turned on Giles, the soldier that had dealt the latest wound sneaking up from the side. Tuskgutter hammered his impressive bulk into the knight's legs, almost throwing him off his feet as his training saved him from any mortal injury (-13dmg Giles 6/19).
The Tuskgutter took a step away from Miguel, circling Giles. The old territorial boar was prepared to show these humans why it was a legend among the hunters in the region.
Kyrie and Miguel followed him around. Kyrie drew her sickle and tried to put the boar down once and for good. The Tuskgutter evaded her—he had not lived to this size by being an easy target.
Zeran's pistol went off with a bang. The Tuskgutter probably didn't know exactly what had happened, only that suddenly there was a white pain in its shoulder (-9dmg Tuskgutter). The boar was stunned in its tracks for half a second... but didn't fall. It cried out in rage and kept going (Staggered).
Miguel cross around, working slowly into a strategic flanking position. The momentary blank when Zeran's bullet struck home gave the bard a solid shot. He struck quickly and carved another would-be fatal wound into the boar's flesh, but the Tuskgutter did not go down (-11dmg).
Seeing their quarry teetering on the bring of life, swaying with a ferocity only barely holding off unconsciousness, Frodrick spurred his mount back into the fight. He came in, his waraxe glancing off the boar's hide, but Jargon's teeth finding purchase (-5dmg). The boar was all but dead, covered in blood from numerous wounds, but nevertheless refused to collapse finally.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 8/19 –
Giles 6/19 – 20 bolts, True Strike (--), dL
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 9 bullets
Tuskgutter: Mortally Wounded, Bloodied, Staggered
(I totally had to invent a new category in my 4-part damage indicator (Barely Injured, Injured, Badly Wounded, Near Death) just for this creature. That said, Near Death probably would have worked, for this, too.)
EDIT: I expected either one or the other to happen within the first 1-2 attacks of the next round anyway, so this is no surprise.
The Tuskgutter spun about in a bloody haze, deciding which foe needed to be the next to have a taste of his strength. The boar seemed to take Miguel in his sights, ready to make potentially the last blow before it collapsed.
Before the beast ever got that far, though, Giles stepped in with his ornate longsword. He swung down, bringing his weight down on the back of the boar's neck (-6dmg Tuskgutter). Old Tuskgutter crashed forward to the ground in the same movement that would have had him attack the bard (Dead).
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 10/19 – (+2hp Lay on Hands)
Giles 6/19 – 20 bolts, dL
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 9 bullets
Tuskgutter: Dead
Posted on 2014-05-03 at 02:50:41.
Edited on 2014-05-03 at 17:04:44 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: One order of head cheese, comin' right up.
13 Sarenith
Tuskgutter's Lair; E4
Narlmarches
Giles immediately jumped out of the wagon at the sight of the Tuskgutter. He fanned out to the right of Frodrick, drawing his sword. If the boar charged, exactly as it looked about to do, he would be ready. He withdrew his small archery target disk and prepared his accuracy spell.
True to expectation, Old Tuskgutter charged straight at the group, snorting violently. Jargon reared up as the old boar careened into her space. The Tuskgutter thrust upward with his tusks and gored into Jargon's chest (-14dmg Jargon 5/19 Bloodied). Blood flowed out between the leather drape of her armour.
Kyrie was next out of the wagon. She hastily braced her shield to her arm as she ran to meet the frontline. She placed her free hand on Jargon's flank as she came around, willing life energy into the mare (+3hp Jargon).
Zeran grabbed his pistol off the seat next to him. He jumped down out of the wagon, his other hand searching for a ball to load as he moved to get a shot at the boar's exposed flank.
Miguel drew his sword, coming ahead on Frodrick's left. He slashed at the boar and the Tuskgutter squealed back at him. The boar pulled away from Miguel and his sword only caught a scrape of tough, leathery hide.
Just as the Tuskgutter was evading Miguel's attack, Jargon stepped in and bit the boar on the ridge (-4dmg). Old Tuskgutter squealed in surprise and quickly shifted to face Jargon and her knight. Frodrick had directed Jargon to attack as he drew his axe.
Jargon Hooves rose up before the Tuskgutter, kicking her forelegs. Frodrick, axe now in hand, leaned over in his saddle and hacked into the boar's meaty hide (-7dmg), as Jargon's blows rained down on its head (-4dmg, -2dmg Tuskgutter Bloodied).
Having very thouroughly made their point, Frodrick directed his valiant mare to back up a step closer to the wagon.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 8/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts, True Strike (1/2)
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – (loaded) 10 bullets
Tuskgutter: Injured, Bloodied, Charge (-2AC)
(In which Jargon Hooves proves she's still the dominant alpha animal in this forest.)
Posted on 2014-05-02 at 19:21:03.
Edited on 2014-05-02 at 19:23:55 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Hog Head Hunting Hero 3
Exploration & Mapping
11-13 Sarenith
Hexes: E4 +25XP Each
The boggard and his pet were perfectly content to watch the party carry on. Zeran marked the small mire on his map, adding a note about the current inhabitants. The mapping process carried on unimpeded.
The group strayed from the Skunk River eastward to the edge of the forest in their travels. Around midday on the first day, as they were coming into the new area, Frodrick found a set of old boar tracks, perhaps two or three days old.
In several places between that day and the next he could point out markings on trees that indicated one or more aggressive boars cutting into the bark, or rooting around for a meal. Late on the second day, they encountered an impressive heap of hog manure that could not have been more than a few hours old. There was no question—they were in hog territory.
Finally on the third day they came upon a large hollow under a large fallen pine tree. The dead branches of the tree provided a natural shelter for the depression, which was scattered with bones. While no one knew for sure, the signs from the past two days lent the imagination the impression of a very large boar occupying the den.
13 Sarenith
Tuskgutter's Lair
Narlmarches
It was not long before the party had confirmation on that notion. A massive bull of a boar, easily over 300 pounds emerged from the brush. The distinctive ridges of grey bristles around the boar's face, in addition to the scarring on its and its sheer size, meant the boar could only be none other than the legendary Tuskgutter.
Some five foot long of shaggy brown-grey fur and muscle, the boar stood facing the party, its tusks clacking a steady rhythm in time with its foot, pawing against the ground. There was never a chance to back away. The aggressive old male lowered its head and prepared to charge.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 10 bullets
(In case you were curious what that clacking was, it's what a boar does when it's rolling initiative. Either prepare a really good Handle Animal check, or draw your weapons.)
Posted on 2014-05-02 at 03:41:29.
Edited on 2014-05-02 at 03:44:11 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Garuum the Poet and Ubagub the Steed
10 Sarenith
Boggard Lair; E3
Narlmarches
The boggard narrowed its eyes suspiciously, watching Kyrie carefully as she hopped out of the wagon onto the solid ground of the path.
"Uh, hi? Sorry—" she began.
The moment Kyrie took a step toward the ruined structures the boggard hunched down into a pose ready to fight. His good left hand went to the weapon on his side but he didn't grab it. "No." He said. A warning. The slurk's general disposition of displeasure deepened and it emitted a low, hostile croaking.
Kyrie retracted the step.
Both the boggard and the slurk resumed a more casual pose.
"Hi. Sorry if we're intruding, but we're trying to make a map, you see." Kyrie spoke.
The boggard's expression stayed neutral as it heard, sizing up the party. It did not seem to register the farm girl's words at all. Finally after a moment, it stepped up.
"Me boggard. Me Garuum." He pointed at himself. He pointed to the slurk. "Me slurk. Slurk Ubagub." Once he established this baseline of communication, he tried for a more complex expression. He gestured for the crumbling buildings. "Me bug, me snake, me truce." He pointed for the path ahead of the cart, away from the buildings. "You truce, you go. No die."
Having exercised an impressive array of concepts, the boggard shut its mouth and waited to see the effect of its words.
Posted on 2014-05-01 at 02:38:19.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Should have known better than to leave it simply too open-ended, with too many options.
10 Sarenith
Boggard Lair; E3
Narlmarches
The summery heat of the midday sun without the cover of the forest combined with the standing water in the mire to make the air unbearably muggy. It was hot and wet, and a layer of sweat hung between every layer of clothing or armour and skin.
The area still had to be mapped, though. At least this mire was small enough they'd be back under the shade in hardly any time. Besides, maybe there was something inside the ruin worth investigating, as unlikely as that might be.
The smaller building had one wall more or less entirely crumbled, and through the opening Frodrick saw a modest sized patch of mushrooms growing in the dark corner. He just had time to wonder about the somewhat organised appearance of the mushroom crop when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.
Through the empty doorway on the larger building was a lumbering, pale purple slime-covered toad. The beast had seen them, and rumbled toward the open door. It had sickly green eyes, a healthy coat of slime, and two huge walrus-like tusks.
The monster (that Miguel was already recognising and identifying as a slurk) paused on the threshold and issued a loud warning croak at the intruders—provoking a responding croak from inside the smaller building. Appearing in that doorway an instant later was a humanoid about 5' tall, with decidedly frog-like features.
The boggard, a member of a swamp-dwelling species prone to violence and cruelty, saw the party. Immediately it held up its hands. “Truce! Truce!” The party could see clearly that its right hand was a mangled broken mess, long since poorly healed. It carried what could ostensibly be called its weapon—a piece of wood with nails driven through one end—in its belt, and was almost naked besides a hard leather breastplate over its torso.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 10 bullets
(Obviously, continuing previous lines of thought in back-post as always (which I think we've successfully done something like once?) Bonus information on boggards: They're not an especially common threat for people who don't live next to large swampy areas, but they typically gather in small villages. Natives to the Rostland/North River Kingdoms areas will probably be familiar with the large tribe of boggards living in the Hooktongue Slough, the region of the Stolen Lands immediately to our west.)
(As for slurks, Miguel hasn't had the time to describe them, yet, but he basically knows everything about them (Arcane check: 26) though Giles has only heard the name connected with toad-shaped things (Arcane check: 9). Miguel, in a more relaxed moment, could tell you all about how they were originally conceived in failed dwarven attempts to breed a domesticated strain of subterranean toads. They are stronger and, if only slightly, smarter than typical animals (being classified as 'magical beasts' like the owlbear), and prefer to live either underground or in swamps, where they are often found domesticated by the less picky races that live there. Slurks have very large tusks and a powerful bite, but what really makes them dangerous is their use of slime (which is probably one of the first things Miguel would mention if a fight broke out), whether their hard, resinous slime that covers their back, which they can fire in jets at prey to trap them, or the greasy slime excreted by glands on their stomach that prevents them from being stuck)
Posted on 2014-04-28 at 18:56:56.
Edited on 2014-04-28 at 19:02:35 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Do you know what a shambler's typical habitats are?
Exploration & Mapping
8-10 Sarenith
Hexes: E3 +25XP Each
The next day the party left Jhod at the Temple of the Elk, travelling southwest to continue down the Skunk River.Over the next weeks they planned to cover the majority of the forested land east of the river, keeping a careful eye out in case they strayed far enough south to run into the other group of bandits encamped somewhere in the region.
As they approached the river (and the familiar smell), however, the group noticed the terrain becoming soggier and more like the kind of land a creature like a shambling mound might like to call home.
10 Sarenith
Skunk Mire & Ruin; E3
Narlmarches
Fortunately, only the land in the immediate vicinity of the river proved to be wetland marshes, but on the third day they encountered a large, soggy mire slumping away from the river. The peatland only covered an area of about a hectare bordered by the forest on three sides and the Skunk to the west.
With at most sparse, small trees dotting the small fen, the only feature of note was a pair of ruined buildings, one larger, and one smaller with signs of a long-crumbled tower. The stone structures were sunk into the water-logged ground, with bushes and rushes surrounding on all sides.
The soggy ground was dotted with shallow pools of standing water, forcing Zeran to chose his course carefully, or else become stuck in the muddy ground. The remains of what might have once been a path, just slightly less overgrown with reeds and rushes than the surrounding land marked the best route across the area, crossing directly in front of the two structures.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 10 bullets
(Since at least 2 players have expressed interest in extracting a trophy from the corpse of the shambler, I'll let you discuss that OoC/in backpost. Also, Zeran should not panic about the number of bullets, I just figured that since his powder horn only really holds 10 shots, that's how many he has access to at any given time, with more stored away. This way if he falls in water, he's less likely to ruin the bulk of his powder.)
Posted on 2014-04-26 at 19:52:24.
Edited on 2014-04-26 at 19:54:43 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Next I should let you fight a shambler at level 6, just to see how much you improve. And let it hurt
7 Sarenith – Night
Temple of the Elk; D3
Narlmarches
Giles raised his longsword two handed over his head and plunged into the centre of the mass of vines and moss and slime (-9dmg Shambler). The shambler rustled with a vigorous quiver across its body. It was clearly beginning to notice this prey was not without its teeth. Across its body were a noticeable number of severed tendrils, and several of its wounds oozed with some kind of slimy fluid—more than normal, at least (Bloodied).
Keeping defensive behind her shield, Kyrie lunged for a shot while the shambler was recoiling from Giles' hit. Her sickle got tangled in the thick layers of vegetation, slashing cutting through very little for her effort. Frodrick maintained his distracting presense hoping to give her a better opening.
Regardless of Kyrie or Frodrick's attempts, the shambler's attention turned to Giles. It seemed to identify Giles' sword as the biggest threat present. Of course, it was wrong.
Miguel stepped in next to Giles just as the shambler began raising its arm. Without thinking, he leapt in at the opening he saw and slashed across the plant monster's body. His sword, energized with magic and muscle, cleaved deeper than he expected, and almost got stuck for a half second in the monster's body (-13dmg Shambler, Badly Wounded).
The shambler very suddenly had enough. It could live off soil nutrients and small animals for a few days. It had been bested by superior prey. The shambler took a step back off the pile of rubble it was occupying, then turned to flee, lumbering across the cobblestones the way it came.
Frodrick 22/22 – B*, Zest for Battle, Courage*
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 18 bolts, B*, Courage*, Protection
Kyrie 21/21 – B*, IC*, Shield of Faith (3/40), Fighting Defensively, Frodrick Aid
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Dancing Lights (5/10), B*, *Inspire Courage (3)
Zeran 19/19 – (loaded) 19 bullets, B*, Courage*
Jhod 22/22 – 20 arrows, *Bless (5/40), Courage*, Sanctuary (2/4)
Shambling Mound: Badly Wounded, Bloodied
(The shambler is still within the radius of the lights spell. It is about 45' from the general location of the party. Note that any hoping to chase it down would have to cross the same rubble we used to slow it down. Also note that Miguel still has his ranged weapon on his person, and Zeran is, in fact, now loaded. I also skipped Jhod's action—because he has nothing left to do unless somebody is dying or fighting. Giles' ability will last until the shambler is gone or he stops attacking, whichever comes first.)
(EDIT: Nvm, this was too good to pass up.)
Even had they wanted to get close to the shambler ever again, none of the party would have been able to crawl across the blasted stone blocks that once made up the body of the stairs.
Zeran, however, had not loaded this shot for nothing. He hustled down the stairs and hopped past Kyrie, looking to get a better shot off. He clambered over the rubble, coming to pause on one stone boulder. With a moment to trail the shambler's movements he took aim and fired. He saw a splurt of slime fly up from somewhere in the top middle of the shambler's body.
The shambler continued on for two more steps, unfazed, then it missed the third by a bit. The fourth step came at the same time that the whole tangle of vines and grass and moss and slime crashed to the stones next to the pool (-17dmg *crit* Shambler, Dying) (+2Grit Zeran).
Frodrick 22/22 – B*, Zest for Battle, Courage*
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 18 bolts, B*, Courage*
Kyrie 21/21 – B*, IC*, Shield of Faith (4/40), Fighting Defensively, Frodrick Aid
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Dancing Lights (6/10), B*, *Inspire Courage (4)
Zeran 19/19 - () 18 bullets, B*, Courage*
Jhod 22/22 - 20 Arrows, *Bless (6/40), Courage*, Sanctuary (3/4)
Shambler: Dying
(200XP)
Posted on 2014-04-25 at 20:21:32.
Edited on 2014-04-25 at 21:09:02 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: You're in luck. I'm pretty sure almost no one will die at this rate.
7 Sarenith – Night
Temple of the Elk; D3
Narlmarches
With the hulking shambler this close, Giles dropped his crossbow on the stone platform. With a thought, he shifted his destructive will into a protective aura surrounding him invisibly. He pulled out the small wooden disk and held it up to the shambler, taking aim as he spoke the words to the spell.
After the spell took effect, Giles stowed the disk and jumped down off the broken ledge to the ground below. He landed harder than he'd hoped, but managed not to brake anything. The scarred knight with the silver hair drew his sword, stopping at the edge of the shambler's reach, hoping not to attract its attention before he could land a solid strike.
Acrobatics DC 15: 14+1
Kyrie did not wait for the shambler to finish coming to her. With its reach, she would not get a chance to fight back if she didn't move in now. Which was exactly what she'd planned to do. She stepped off the stairs directly at the monster's feet. Keeping her ready, she hooked her sickle overhead into the central mass of vines. Most of the blade disappeared into the mess without seeming to cause a reaction, but then she pulled down, cutting through as much vegetation in one sweep as she could. (-7dmg Shambler)
Frodrick was beside her half a second later. “That's the way, keep at it!” He waved his axe at the shambler, trying to force it to expose itself to Kyrie's next attack. He rammed the haft into the mass of vines to distract it. (Aid Attack Kyrie)
Miguel, still singing, slung his bow over his shoulder and jumped after Giles. He drew his sword, charging it with arcane energy just in case he had a chance to swing at something. Like Giles he stayed well back of the creature's actual mass, waiting by the summoned spirit for a chance to slip in when an opening presented itself.
Acrobatic DC 15:10+6
From atop the stairs, Zeran took aim and shot. This close it was almost impossible for him not to strike something vital—the bullet, propelled by a shot of black powder, cleaved through the thick layers of vegetation into the centre of the mass where (at least the assumption was) more vital organs lay. The ball punched through the shambler's body, and for the first time the monster seemed to notice the damage to its body (-9dmg Shambler Injured). For a moment, it seemed as if the party might manage to chase the vine monster off without any significant injuries.
The summoned celestial elk lowered its head and prepared ram with its antlers again. The shambler simply lifted one of its mossy arms and slammed it down elk (-15dmg Elk Disabled). The elk was briefly stunned by the force of the impact, and could hardly resist as the long grasses and vines that made up the shambler's arm flew out and wrapped around it.
In a dilemma that would make a vegan weep, the shambler pulled the elk in toward its central mass as its vines squeezed tighter and tighter around its body—until suddenly the summon's body gave in and collapsed back into nothing more than motes of energy (-17dmg Elk Desummoned).
Deprived of its meal, the shambler turned rapidly and lashed out at Kyrie. The girl was prepared for this, and she pulled back while bracing herself. The shambler's heavy arm instead glanced off her shield rather than strike her full-on.
Jhod, with his holy symbol in one hand, uttered another short prayer of asylum and protection, then stepped in behind Kyrie and Frodrick, inside the shambler's attack range.
Frodrick 22/22 – B*, Zest for Battle, Courage*
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 18 bolts, B*, Courage*, Protection (+1AC), True Strike (1/2)
Kyrie 21/21 – B*, IC*, Shield of Faith (2/40), Fighting Defensively (+2AC), Frodrick Aid (+3attk)
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Dancing Lights (4/10), B*, *Inspire Courage (2)
Zeran 19/19 – () 19 bullets, B*, Courage*
Jhod 22/22 – 20 arrows, *Bless (4/40), Courage*, Sanctuary (1/4)
Celestial Elk: Desummoned
Shambling Mound: Injured
(Heh, a shambler gets -such- a tight benefit out of power attack when facing easy to hit foes. Also, I have to say it's been fun playing a spellcaster who has no reason not to unload every spell he has in a fight. That Summon Monster II was the best decision I've made yet, that execution of summoning an ally and then killing it off spectacularly was flawless)
(Dancing Lights: Just recently discovered that the duration is always exactly 1 min, not 1min/level. Good thing we saw that now rather than in round 11... not that I would have changed it then without warning, since I don't correct my bungles when they benefit the party until the next occasion)
Posted on 2014-04-24 at 02:40:35.
Edited on 2014-04-25 at 20:12:40 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: The suspense is going to kill me. As I try to kill you...
7 Sarenith – Night
Temple of the Elk; D3
Narlmarches
Giles quickly reloaded his crossbow and fired again for the centre of the monster's mass. Another missile was swallowed by the thing's face with hardly a reaction. (-4dmg Shambler) Still, it seemed to find its mark.
Frodrick stomped down the stairs, his shield in line with Kyrie's. He stood one foot on stair, one foot on a stone block of rubble that used to be stair, a 7' drop to his left. He peered over his shield at the vine creature and prepared to accept its first strike.
Behind Miguel let his bow arm fall as he started up an motivating song to go support Jhod's blessing. It seemed there could not possibly be too much encouragement that they were not all about to die.
The mound of moss, vines, and slime continued to rumble across the cobblestones inexorably. When it got to the base of the debris field fanning out from the ruined stair, it was forced to navigate over the large stone blocks, until it was looming directly before Kyrie and Frodrick. (Total Defence)
Uninterrupted at the entrance, Jhod's murmuring prayer game to an end. The spell energy he'd been channelling released. Across the stone boulders directly next to the shambler a flickering circle appeared, quickly growing into a summoning ring.
The ring completed in less than a second, followed immediately by a burst of light. Standing over the fading circle, amidts a cloud of glowing motes over energy was a large, powerful looking stag too perfect to possibly be a mortal creature, seeming to glow with internal energy.
The elk reared up on its hind legs and kicked the shambler, to little effect, but then returning groundward it pushed itself forward to gore the mound with its antlers. (-7dmg Shambler) The shambler seemed at least to acknowledge the summoned monster's attack as the bony antlers drove into its 'arm'.
Jhod meanwhile stepped out into the night. He came down to the top of the stairs next to Zeran, another prayer already on his lips. In his hand was a slip of parchment covered in small neat writing. As Zeran finished reloading his weapon he saw the parchment suddenly burn to ash in Jhod's hand.
A shimmering aura surrounded his hand, and as he touched Kyrie, the faint ripple transfered to her. “Here, lass, this will help protect you.”
Frodrick 22/22 – B*, Zest for Battle, Total Defence, Courage*
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 18 bolts, B*, Destruction, Courage*
Kyrie 21/21 – B*, Total Defence, IC*, Shield of Faith (1/40) (+2AC)
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Dancing Lights (3/20), B*, *Inspire Courage (1)
Zeran 19/19 – (loaded) 20 bullets, B*, Courage*
Jhod 22/22 – 20 arrows, *Bless (3/40), Courage*
Celestial Elk: Uninjured, Summon (1/4), Courage*
Shambling Mound: Barely Injured
(Phew, so what is that, now? +1 morale to attack, +1 competence to attack and damage, +1 trait bonus to Frodrick's damage, a deflection bonus on Kyrie's AC, dodge bonuses for the tanks (on top of the dodge bonus Kyrie always had). We're really getting creative with the modifiers this one. You know Kyrie's AC right now is 10 + 3Arm + 2Shld + 1Dex + 5Dodge +2Deflect? That adds up to 23. Frodrick's is 21. Will it be enough? Well, one more round before we find out.)
Posted on 2014-04-23 at 08:33:25.
Edited on 2014-04-23 at 08:57:38 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: You can't blame me, I did say good luck.
7 Sarenith – Night
Temple of the Elk; D3
Narlmarches
Giles stepped out of the cave onto the stone slab landing. At once his long black hair shimmered, then suddenly turned stark silver. Silently the knight condemned the creature, channeling his will into his weapons to fill them with destructive force. He pulled the trigger and fired the bolt into the centre of the mass (-4dmg Shambler). He was rewarded with wet squishy 'thock'.
Kyrie marched down the right flank of the stairs, shield first. The shattered rubble of the stairs would make for an excellent defensive point. The shambler could not get up the stairs without going through her. She waited, ready for its steady advance.
Frodrick rolled out of the cave after Kyrie, his axe and his shield ready for wreaking havoc. He felt twenty (or fifty, in dwarven?) years younger, battle lust making his dwarven spirit sing beneath his gruff exterior.
Miguel nocked an arrow into his shortbow, running out to take his place among the shooters. He fired into the mass of vines, striking with a thump. He couldn't say how he knew, but he reckoned the shambler had not felt his attack. The shambler did not seem to react differently than it had to Giles' bolt, but it seemed an even less impressive shot.
Zeran took his place on the stairs just above Kyrie, his pistol arm extended at the shambler. He held and waited, though. At this range, his weapon would be too inaccurate to waste the shot. He waited, ready to fire.
The shambler turned to the pool edge and climbed out. It continued to lumber toward the party, ignoring the two missiles protruding from what could arguably called its face.
Zeran fired. The lead ball struck the shambler in the massive arm, sending up a small splurt of slime and vine juice. The shambler did not seem impressed by this display.
Jhod kept to the back, murmering another prayer to himself under his breath.
Frodrick 22/22 – B*, Zest for Battle
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 19 bolts, B*, Destruction (+1dmg)
Kyrie 21/21 – B*, Full Defense (+4AC)
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Dancing Lights (2/20), B*
Zeran 19/19 – () 20 bullets, B*
Jhod 22/22 – 20 arrows, *Bless (2/40), Casting
Shambling Mound: Barely Injured, Unimpressed.
(Keep working on it. Worse comes to worse, you can turn it into a decorative pincushion and hope that it spontaneously decides it will go pursue its true dream as a seamstress)
Posted on 2014-04-21 at 07:19:09.
Edited on 2014-04-21 at 07:20:17 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Oh wait, I have more than one round of actions... but no ability to edit the map XD
7 Sarenith – Night
Temple of the Elk; D3
Narlmarches
The party hastily scrambled to their feet, drawing their weapons. “A shambler!” Jhod practically cursed the word. “Shoot to drive it back, we can't fight this thing.”
Giles screwed a bolt into his crossbow. He peered past Kyrie into the darkness, trying to see the nature of the beast. The others seemed to recognise what it was, but he wanted a good look for himself.
Kyrie picked up her shield, muttering a prayer. She moved ahead to the top of the steps outside the cave, strapping the board to her arm as she did. Not far behind her, Frodrick did the same, using the haft of his axe to pull himself to his feet.
Miguel swallowed the lump in his throat when he looked out. He grabbed his bow—there was no sense rushing to an early grave. Let it come to him. He reached into the air above the pool with his magic and called a quartet of lights to illuminate the whole yard.
The shambler jerked up, startled. Whatever horticultural organ it used for sight, it saw Kyrie standing at the top of the steps. With a brief second of processing, it lumbered forward through the pool, throwing small waves with every step.
Zeran quickly loaded his pistol for the moment the monster inevitably came in his optimum range. Beside him Jhod muttered his own prayer, clutching the wooden disk around his neck. A small point of soft light appeared above his head and grew into the shape of a bow made of antlers, before dissolving.
A glowing mantle fell over each of the party members in the cave and vanished from sight, leaving behind a bolstering conviction. (+1 morale to attack, vs. fear)
Frodrick 22/22 – B*, Zest for Battle (+1dmg)
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts, B*
Kyrie 21/21 – B*
Miguel 17/17 – 20 arrows, Dancing Lights (1/20), B*
Zeran 19/19 – (loaded) 21 bullets, B*
Jhod 22/22 – 20 arrows, *Bless (1/40)
Shambling Mound: Freshly Watered
(Isn't it nice having a buff engine in the party? Now let's try not to die, he doesn't have -that- many heals/day)
Posted on 2014-04-20 at 23:17:10.
Edited on 2014-04-21 at 02:23:59 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: When Gardeners Attack!
Travelling
5-7 Sarenith
Hexes: B5 – D3
Jhod was up and prepared to leave before the others had even finished their breakfast. Despite his unfailing patience and politeness, it was obvious that he was eager to get moving. He buzzed about the fort with the energy of a man several years his junior as he made sure the last of his packing details were settled. Soon enough, though, the adventurers were on their way back to the temple.
The party took the route southeast across the ford at the former bandit camp and arrived back at the region around the temple on the third day. There was a brief confusion in finding the exact location of the overgrown temple amidst the hilly forest, but they were on track in very short order, about an hour before the nightfall.
Jhod let out a soft gasp when the massive stone elk came into view. Zeran brought the wagon to a halt just inside the ring of pillars and Jhod dismounted, looking all about in wonder at the ruinous splendour of the temple.
“My god...” Jhod paused at the base of the crumbling stone stairs. He turned to the party, preparing their things to make camp inside the natural cave that formed the shrine's interior. “Thank you all for bringing me here. I am indebted to the Greenbelt Party, though first I will need to satisfy my mission here. Restoring this temple is my first priority, but if you ever need a priest's services, stop by at any time and I will perform to the best I am able.”
7 Sarenith – Night
Temple of the Elk; D3
Narlmarches
With less than a month to the solstice, the nights were getting shorter and warmer. The watch had to fight against the pleasant warmth and the soothing late spring rustling of leaves to keep alert.
Kyrie sat on watch closest to the mouth of the cave, where there was a pleasant breeze caught just by the corner of the entrance. Outside there was a faint stirring in the sound of the leaves. She peered out into the darkness.
It was impossible to see anything past the clearing, which itself was only modestly lit by the gibbous moon. After a few moments Kyrie dismissed it—either it was a passing animal or merely her imagination.
But then she heard it again. Was that a soft sliding noise, or just the sound of a bush in the breeze? The night seemed empty of life, regardless what Kyrie thought she was hearing.
Suddenly a large, dark mass at the very edge of the clearing seemed to collapse into the far end of the pool. The accompanying splash of something large landing in the water, throwing ripples down the length of the pool and spilling water over the sides was unmistakeable.
Kyrie scrambled to her feet as the others stirred from their sleep. The figure at the end of the pool rose slowly—she saw just enough of it to catch a glimpse this time. Her gaze tightened into a glare. It was just another big weed monster.
The shamber stood barely a hundred feet from the mouth of the cave. It was impossible to say, even if she could get a better view, whether it was the same that had attacked them so long ago, but no doubt it was just as deadly.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 20 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 21 bullets
(Now let's see if I can remember how to do this thing again...)
EDIT: Now with new map of Temple grounds ~here~
Posted on 2014-04-19 at 20:32:55.
Edited on 2014-04-19 at 22:53:08 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Prometheans: Genesis - Q&A
Subject: Hey-o
Rela's right about the being swamped, but after that it should be an almost straight shot a free time (well, my own players will be expecting, too, but that's not so hard to balance two).
I was thinking about little miss Dani the other day and lo and behold! I'm pretty sure I have a sheet filled with a small infodump about her and whatnot, so pending the dreaded free time I'll be happy to jump back into this one.
Posted on 2014-04-05 at 16:45:08.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: That one got away from me a little...
31 Desnus
Thorn Ford; D4
Narlmarches
(Fey Encounter)
The two invisible voices all but disappeared in the following silence. There was a couple hanging moments where for all intents and purposes it could have been the party's own imagination that had been talking to them all.
Finally, the voices started up again, no less excited for the blank welcome they received. “Oh, we almost forgot!”
Tyg's voice jumped between the extinguished campfire and Zeran's seat on a log. “Getyourmap getyourmap!” There was a slight blur of motion, and when she landed, perched next to Zeran, she was fully visible.
From the waist up, she looked like a tiny elven woman with silver hair with copper stripes, no taller than a cat. Below, like a centaur, her body was that of a giant, bright green cricket with copper coloured legs.
Tyg-Titter-Tut was a grig. Miguel recognised the fey that stood before them, but deigned not to interrupt. Grigs were usually good-spirited, and Rill was already cranky from her home invasion, but he knew enough about manners not to be caught off guard this time.
Zeran's map seemed to will itself out of his pack before he could think to reach for it, though. It fluttered across the camp in the feylight to him, and stopped, when Perlivash appeared, and held the roll out to him in both claws.
Despite the huge orange butterfly wings, Perlivash was not actually a creature of the fey, like Tyg. He was a small, azure-scaled dragon of nearly the same size as his companion. A fairy dragon, but a dragon no less, Miguel knew.
Tyg-Titter-Tut commanded Zeran's attention as he fished out his writing utensils. “Let's see, what do you have here—oh, you've already found those nasty traps all over here. Well I bet you don't know about the best tasting radishes in the region!”
“Those ones?” Zeran pointed to the moonradish patch.
The grig took another look at the map “Oh, well, there ya go. No matter, we know everything about this area. In that case, have you been to the hot springs all the way at the beginning of the stink river?”
Zeran confirmed. Skunk river headwaters. Formerly inhabited by a pair of giant toads. The pranksters were elated at this news—it seemed they had been mistaken by the toads on more than one occasion for fat flying insects.
The two skimmed the map, glossing over the area where the trapper lay dead.
“Ah, then I got just the thing for you. Biggun's like you like adventure, right! Exploring lost ruins, uncovering ancient treasures! There's a lost temple left behind when the people who used to live here all got themselves dead and left and—oh, there it is. Hmm.”
The grig set her head on her fist and pondered. Suddenly an idea occured to her, and she chattered quickly to Perlivash in some other unknown language. After a short moment of this exchange, the fairy dragon peered at the map.
“Haha! They don't got it!”
Tyg-Titter-Tut stood back and put on her mystical face. “Then let me tell you the story of a time when the world was young, and the tribe of manlings who lived in the plains to the northwest, back when they commanded a mighty territory three times larger than it is today.
“These barbarians called themselves the Tiger Lords—they were cruel, crude, and rapacious beasts, but among them, there was one noble prince, handsome and mighty. He rejected the savage ways of his people—some say he had taken his fill of bloodshed and grew weary of conquest, some say he possessed a mind ahead of his time, and after a great battle he became horrified at the things he had wrought in his life and sought to bring an end to the cruelty and despair, but some others say his wild heart was tamed by a maiden so fair, a beautiful fey whose ravishing appearance could calm the most savage of beasts, and quell even the mightiest bloodlust—”
“Hold on a minute, I don't remember any of this and I'm older than you!”
Tyg-Titter-Tut grinned, guilty. “I admit there may have been some... creative embellishment.”
Perlivash rolled his eyes. “We don't know anything about who was buried except that it was some kind of important tribal prince. They have stones set up all over the grasslands to the north, marking their dead, but most of them have already been toppled and looted by other bigginses patrols or others. This one, though, is almost completely covered in blackberry brambles and hasn't been touched yet.”
The dragon pointed to the map, area 'B1'. “There is a pile of stones right around here, we spotted it one day when we were out on adventure. The barbarians who made them a long time ago haven't come out to this region in years, longer than we've been here, but I was barely able to detect a little bit of magic under these stones that wasn't blocked out by all the dirt and rocks.”
Tyg spoke up, “The stones are too heavy for us to move, but if you checked it out I betcha there'd be something interesting down there, no matter what it is. I'm sure the tribal biggins won't mind, either, since they've gone away so long ago I bet anyone who would have cared is already dead or gone anyway.”
After giving Zeran specific, occasionally contradictory, but largely intelligible instructions on the exact location to mark the cairn, the two fey flitted off into the trees, vanishing from sight with fey magic even before they left the area of the light—and speaking of the light, the glowing points vanished less than a minute after the fairy's themselves, plunging the camp into darkness once more.
(+250 XP each for befriending the fairies)
2 Sarenith
Oleg's Trading Post
South Brevic Borderlands
('Breeg')
The hunter that had confronted Giles looked like he might have a go at strangling the trapper-disguise the caster was wearing. “Breeg Orlivanch, you no-good foul-mouthed pissant, have you gone stupid as well as craven? Or is it you just wait for others to remember your gambling debts for ya?”
(I had originally planned to begin moving on, but then apparently the virtuoso spirit took hold of me and things got out of hand. Also the bit with 'Breeg' is way overdue, but apparently every time I remembered I should make post 4-sentence answer I was not at my computer or else something distracted me XD
(Here's hoping that my panic-season of exams holds off until I can make a full post to move back toward the Temple with Jhod. Decide amongst yourselves what to do about the Barbarian Cairn and when to pay it a visit.)
Posted on 2014-03-16 at 22:20:01.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: A quest.
(Jhod)
The priest rubbed his amulet, a small pair of stag horns in the shape of a knocked bow, pointed down, absentmindedly.
“When I came to this land I heard rumour of a lost temple dedicated to my god, Erastil, left behind when the Taldan colonists were driven from the Stolen Lands long ago. It is my personal mission to recover this lost outpost of civilization and restore it to functionality. This is the task that has been set before me. Just as you seek to drive the monsters from this land, I seek to push back the encroachment of the savage and monstrous in my own way.”
Jhod took up his bow while he talked, testing the strength of its curve and inspecting the string for damage. “I do not wish to make demands, but I must insist on going as soon as I can. If it is for my safety you fear, I am flattered, but do not worry about me. I am no adventurer, but I am capable of taking care of myself in the wilds if need-be, and I will have Old Deadeye's guidance to aid me.”
Posted on 2014-03-09 at 22:26:45.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Homeward Bound--didn't find what we were looking for, but found a lot of other stuff.
Travelling
31 Desnus-2 Sarenith
Hexes: C4 – B5
(30 Desnus)
The party finished their mapping in the area and settled down for the night to camp. Miguel found an open spot a little ways from the camp and set his potion down. After a moment's thought he decided the whole thing needed sprucing up a bit. Make it presentable.
Kyrie saw him laying small stones in a circle around the potion vial and realized that he had the answer to the question that had been buzzing in her mind. The hedge paladin offered her help and between the two of them they created an excellent spread.
Set on a bed of green leaves Kyrie left a small pile of blackberries that she had picked from the brambles on the river bank earlier, with Miguel's potion set in the centre. Their task done they returned to the campfire and settled in to await the results of their efforts.
Diplomacy Check 12 + 7 + 5-(circumstance) + 2 = 26
(31 Desnus)
At some point in the night, though none could say when, the fairies must have descended upon the bribe offered and devoured the whole thing, or else carted the leftovers off to some nest somewhere. At any rate, the bribe must have at least worked for the night, since their waking was undisturbed by missing clothing or poison ivy in the bedrolls.
The rest of the day, too, passed as if either the fairies had been pacified by the tribute. Or at least, it was that or they were preparing something even bigger to one-up their latest prank. This was not a comforting thought, but the party tried not to dwell on it.
They crossed the Thorn ford where near the site of the old bandit camp again, and continued northeast to home. They made camp again for the evening without being disturbed, but the fairies had one last encounter planned for the party.
Shortly after supper, the forest suddenly burst with the sound of two high-pitched cheering voices. Handfuls of acorns rained down like confetti around the camp, but not quite aimed at the party. Almost at once the campfire flashed a brilliant explosion of colourful lights, blinding everyone in the area.
“Hooray!” “Hooray!”
The cheers continued the whole while the party blinked away the shapes imprinted on their retinas, circling above the camp. When the company regained their vision, the campfire was gone, extinguished in the magical crafting that had caused it to flare up. Instead the area was lit with soft glowing spell lights similar to the ones Miguel could call forth.
“Allow us to introduce ourselves,” a disembodied female voice announced from the spot where the fire used to be. “I am the magnificent Tyg-Titter-Tut, and this is my lovely assistant and companion, Perlivash the Cunning.”
A second voice, centred in the same area, male, spoke up, “We wanted to thank you biggenses for being such fine sports and for your thoughtful gifts.”
“As a reward for putting up with us, we'd thought we'd help you with your game, with the map you're making. We know aaallll about the area around here and maybe we could tell you about something you didn't see,” said Tyg.
“Were you the ones who kicked out the mean biggenses that used to live around here?” Perlivash's voice eagerly cut in, “Are you going to throw the lot of them out?”
At last the constant chatter quelled to an expectant silence. While none in the party could see the two, it was no stretch of the imagination to guess that they were eagerly waiting to see how they would be welcomed.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 20 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 21 bullets
2 Sarenith
Oleg's Trading Post
South Brevic Borderlands
As the Greenbelt party exited the forest, the full swing of early summer was already in effect. Without the benefit of the shade of the trees, the sun beat down. The solstice was less than a month away and the weather was definitely on an upward turn.
As per usual, the party arrived at Oleg's late in the afternoon. Oleg seemed in good spirits as he greeted them, inquiring if they'd found and done battle with that great beastie, Tuskgutter.
When Jhod received the news that the temple he sought had been discovered, the balding middle-aged man was almost overwhelmed. “This is it,” he murmered to himself, “This is the task set before me.”
When he recovered, he addressed Frodrick. “Please, I must go to this temple. The next time you set out will you take me to the site of the shrine? I can only offer my spellcasting services as a priest of Erastil, which I do, though I will need time to work on temple, until which time I will need remain on its grounds.”
(Later)
Later, Giles almost earned himself a punch in the face as he prepared to inquire about the dead trapper, caught under his own deadfall.
“Breeg, you filthy lying cur, you still owe me, and don't you think I've forgotten just because you've been hidin' your slimy craven arse away fer two month! I oughta take my payment outta yer hide!”
Posted on 2014-03-02 at 21:47:12.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Glerk
30 Desnus
Hex C4; Thorn River
Narlmarches
The nixie crosses her arms with one eyebrow raised in an almost comically skeptical expression.
“Well if those jokers are giving you sods so much trouble, why don't you just make them cut it out?”
Kyrie shook her head, “They don't show themselves. More to the point, they know the forest very well - if we tried to look for them, they'd probably be a step ahead the whole time... however...”
Kyrie smacked her hand to her face. “... None of us have tried actually asking them to stop. I mean, it might not work, and they're always hiding so you can't be sure you're talking to them... Heck we can't even be sure if that laughter shows where they are, or if they're just making the sound come from there.”
“Jeez, you guys are thick. That's not going to work at all if you can't even find them. Don't you know anything?” The nixie dove under the water's surface and came back up a couple yards closer.
“If you want to make 'em stop pranking you, you gotta give them a token to show your appreciation of their skills. Any ol' thing will do, really, but especially a bit o' something shiny, or something sweet to eat. Fermented or magical drinks work too.”
The green-skinned fey dove under again before any comment could be made, disappearing seemingly for the last time—until she appeared much further down stream. “Now git your fat behinds outta my river before I have to get my cousins. All forty-seven of them!”
The fey disappeared for the last time, going on her way. Despite all her protests and insults, the Greenbelt got the strange sense that the nixie had grown somewhat fond of them. At least, in the way one grows fond of a pathetic, so-ugly-its-cute creature inspires a certain level of sympathetic pity.
With a bit of effort the party was able to drag the wagon out of the river mud without further incident. The river bank was no longer greased with fairy magic, so getting traction under the horses' hooves was not a problem.
Posted on 2014-03-02 at 08:16:35.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: Uninvited Guests
Exploration & Mapping
29-30 Desnus
Hexes: C4 +25XP Each
The party carefully marked the location of the hidden temple on their map and continued their travels. They were already beginning to make their return route, with just one more stop along the south bank of the Thorn to map the entire northern reaches of the Narlmarches.
(30 Desnus)
Around midday the party recognised that the area of the forest they were in was roughly the same area that they had first been plagued by the laughing spirits' mischief, only on the opposite side of the river. With any luck, the natural barrier of the river would provide them with enough physical distance to avoid attracting their notice once more.
They had not begun to fathom the trouble that awaited them.
An hour later the party was alerted by a great bellowing roar—but unlike the depredations of the tricksters, this one sounded from the depths of the forest, in the area of a mile away. The sound returned again almost half an hour after the first, but from a different direction. A third rang out, much closer than the first two, again from another direction.
Despite the likelihood of this being another prank, none of the adventurers had the luxury of assuming these strange, roaring calls were mere figments and not actually the hunting calls of a pack of monstrous creatures on the prowl. This possibility kept the party's nerves on edge for another half hour, coiling the tension tighter.
The fourth event set off the release of energy. Behind the wagon some 60' a shambler similar to the one they encountered over a month ago appeared on the path suddenly, stomping out of the bushes and stopping to unleash another bellowing roar, its mess of vines quivering with the force.
Zeran did not hesitate. This time there was no bear trap in the path to prevent him from setting the horses running at once, and so he did.
With enough of a head start, the party lost sight of the shambler in moments. The riders in the wagon held on as Zeran took them for a wild ride around the twists and bends in the forest.
Just as they began to hope they had lost the monster, though, a sudden flurry of motion from the bushes directly in front of them revealed another shambling vine monster. Zeran deftly guided the horses in a sharp turn, the monster bellowing as they passed.
More concerned with what lay behind him at the moment, Zeran did not see until almost the last possible moment where this new trail they had turned onto led—a watering path down to the river where animals could slake their thirst.
The pirate tugged on the reins, but it was no use at this point. The horses slid along the bank as they veered to the right. The momentum of the wagon itself, combined with a seemingly unnaturally slick riverbank, dragged the whole affair sliding half backwards through the thorn bushes that gave the river its name and into the water itself.
Frodrick, bringing up the rear, managed to avoid a similar fate thanks only to riding his own horse. As he reared back on Jargon's back, he saw the greased sheen across the river bank, broken up by the divots created by the passage of the wagon's wheels.
Through the ordeal the wagon's horses managed to keep their footing, but despite Zeran's urges they could not budge the wagon, now firmly entrenched in the soft riverbed. There was no hope for escape any longer.
The bellowing roar drew rapidly closer, until the shambler burst from the trees, bearing down on them.
The wagon riders braced for impact as they reached for their weapons... only for the massive creature simply to pass through them harmlessly, running across the top of the water as if it was entirely weightless.
Like applause after a stirring performance, laughter rang out from the trees on the bank. One more time the forest creatures had received their jollies at the party's expense.
But there was another member of the audience this time.
“Oi!” A female voice cried out from behind them—their behind of course now being steadfastly pointed into rather than away from the river.
“Just what do you think yer doin' coming in here and making a ruckus in my river?!” Floating a short ways upstream was a small creature, humanoid in form, but with green skin and dark green hair. She couldn't have been more than four foot tall, even with most of her body distorted under the water, and she did not look pleased with what she saw.
Miguel's eyes widened. “Hey, d'you know what that is? She's a nixie—a type of fey that live in the water. They usually prefer to live far away from humanoid settlements”
The nixie was not impressed. “Well isn't that just great? Do you think it's any wonder why, ya big mud monkeys!” She flapped a webbed hand at the wagon in a gesture of contempt.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 20 arrows
Zeran 19/19 – () 21 bullets
(The nixie is angry, but seems non-hostile and is apparently unarmed. Since the attacks of the shamblers were apparently all illusions, there is no initiative order for any battle at this moment. Other than proximity there does not seem to be any relation to the laughing pranksters.)
Posted on 2014-03-01 at 09:35:58.
Edited on 2014-03-01 at 09:47:16 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: The bear finally meets its grizzly demise!
28 Desnus
Temple of the Elk
Narlmarches
The bloody grizzly stood up on its hind legs, wobbling slightly as it towered over Miguel. The bard hardly spared the monstrous beast a glance—Jargon was his first priority right now. He held his sword out to the bear automatically to warn it off while he looked for the moment to break and run.
As an ex-pirate's luck would have it, a sharp crack rang out. Zeran had finished loading and fired a lead ball into the bear's oblong behind (-8dmg Grizzly). The grizzly lurched a two-legged step toward Miguel, then lost its balance, reeling back to collapse on the massive crumbling stairs to the temple.
There was a tense moment as the bear drew in a deep, rattling breath, partially turning itself over, and finally fell back again to the bloody stairs. It released the breath as a long, final sigh of relief.
Before the party's eyes the bear's form wavered and shrunk, rapidly losing fur until it took on the form of an ancient human man. The tranformation rested in this form for a second, long enough to catch the peaceful, restful expression on the dead man's face. The body then crumbled rapidly into a skeleton until all that remained of him was dust.
A rush of wind from the wide cave entrance blew over the shrine, carrying away the dust. At the same time the whole shrine seemed to grow brighter and more vibrant. The pools of the bear's blood and Jargon's blood rapidly shrank and vanished. Miguel poured a healing spell into Jargon's body, sealing up the wounds and bringing consciousness back to her (+5dmg Jargon 2/19).
The warhorse jerked up to her feet with a violent motion, stumbled, and stomped around in a circle, until she saw that there was no more foe. Frodrick stepped in to help calm her nerves—but gingerly; he'd had more than enough experience to know better than to get too comfortable with a horse recently engaged in combat, even his own mount.
Jargon accepted Frodrick's comforting. As the wave that washed over the shrine passed, it left the temple looking brighter and cleaner. The moss remained clinging to most surfaces and the stone steps were still broken, but the stagnation and griminess vanished. Even the pool seemed to shimmer, growing crystal clear.
After a thirsty battle, Jargon was the first to the stone wall around the pool. Miguel's next spell to heal Jargon died before he could begin it as he watched her drink. Jargon's wounds rapidly closed with the faint shimmer of life-giving magic (+13dmg Jargon 15/19). Frodrick's mare drank her fill from the pool, and came away as fresh as a spring daisy (+8dmg 19/19).
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 19/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Inspire Courage
Zeran 19/19 – () 21 bullets
Grizzly???: Decomposed, At Peace
Posted on 2014-02-23 at 18:49:03.
Edited on 2014-02-23 at 19:29:54 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: The beast seems to be going Bearserk
28 Desnus
Temple of the Elk
Narlmarches
Zeran reloaded again, moving around for a better position as bodies started to crowd around the bear. Miguel took up the attack on the bear, trying to strike it off Jargon. He charged his sword with magic. With a hearty bellowing chorus he flashed his Aldori sword in an arc through the bear's bellyfat (-12dmg Grizzly Bloodied).
The heavily armoured, shieldbearing warriors were blocked off by their mobility behind the faster, lighter armoured fighters and Jargon's bulk. Miguel glanced back over his shoulder and stepped aside so Frodrick could get in.
If his horse was being mauled, Frodrick wanted a piece of whatever was doing the mauling. He hacked at the bear's long shanks, but the tough hide refused to give to his axe.
Jargon fought mightily in her own defence. Caught around the neck she reared her head back and bit the bear in the ear and pulled. The mare kicked out as she pulled away from her attacker, trying to convince it she was not worth the effort. More than anything the bear seemed merely to grow angrier by her actions (-7dmg Grizzly Enraged), though clearly it could not keep up this assault much longer (Badly Wounded).
The grizzly surged forward with its hindlegs, pressing down on Jargon. It raked its massive claws through her flanks (-6dmg, -7dmg Jargon) until finally her strength gave out. Frodrick's valiant steed stumbled backward under the grizzly's pressure, stumbled, and finally collapsed to the flagstones, beginning to bleed out (Jargon -3/19).
The terrifying mass of fur and muscle rounded on the blond bard that struck it and bit out at him. Miguel stepped back as the bear came, avoiding the savage teeth.
Giles stepped forward in the same motion, attempting to draw the bear's attention back from Miguel, but the beast was too wary and quick.
Meanwhile Kyrie was right next to Jargon when the warhorse went down. She went to her side, settting her sickle down on the flagstones beginning to turn red with the horse's blood. With one hand she grabbed for the pouch of medicinal supplies she carried with her and started rooting around for bandages.
The paladin worked quickly, loosing the shield off her arm to give her better mobility. She applied herbs and dressing to the wound to slow the bleeding, but after a moment the bandages were soaked through. The war horse was losing blood faster than Kyrie could keep it in her.
Heal vs. DC 15: 2 + 7 = 9
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon -3/19 –
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Inspire Courage (3/9)
Zeran 19/19 – (loaded) 22 bullets
Grizzly: Enraged, Badly Wounded, Angry
Posted on 2014-02-22 at 23:36:36.
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Topic: Kingmaker Adventure Path 2.0
Subject: The Delibearate Advance of the Greenbelt Party
28 Desnus
Temple of the Elk
Narlmarches
The party was playing catch up to make it to the fight Jargon had already started. Near the head of the pack, Zeran drew up, paused, and took aim. He fired a lead ball into the bear's broadside. (-5dmg Grizzly)
The angry grizzly barely took notice of the shot, and practically didn't see Miguel as he closed along the one side. Its attention was focused on Jargon.
The warhorse reared up on her hindlegs in challenge. She kicked out with her feet, glancing off the thick hide with one hoof. To add injury to insult, she bit it hard in the thick, haggard fur of its arm (-5dmg Grizzly).
In retaliation the bear clawed a bloody wound with its other arm across Jargon's side (-4dmg Jargon), then with the other claw freed from Jargon's grip it caught hold of her neck (-5dmg + Grab Jargon). The bear held on with both paws, trying to bite her while she tried to pull away.
Giles waded in beside Jargon with a cry and took his longsword to the bear's exposed flank. His quick strike struck the rough, thick fur but did not penetrate the layers of fat and hide.
With a couple intense moments to observe it, the party began to suspect something was not quite right with the bear. It looked rather haggard and weak, with a slight sway as it stood up. The season for coming out of hibernation should be over by now, and the bear hardly looked starved—merely disoriented, albeit clearly enraged.
Frodrick 22/22 –
Jargon 10/19 – Grappled
Giles 19/19 – 20 bolts
Kyrie 21/21 –
Miguel 17/17 – 19 arrows, Inspire Courage (2/9)
Zeran 19/19 – () 22 bullets
Grizzly: Angry, Injured, Grappler
(I have spent at least 20+ min trying to visualize a horse biting a bear and I keep giggling or breaking my mind. Work it out for yourself how it happened, the Internet does not seem forthcoming on sources.)
Posted on 2014-02-22 at 10:03:14.
Edited on 2014-02-22 at 19:01:14 by Sibelius Eos Owm
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