Kingmaker - Rivers Run Red

[Selinia]

Nelia dismounts, the thin layer of snow crunching beneath her black boots and enveloping winter cloak as she surveys the surrounding area cautiously.

"General, perform a sweep of this fortress. Goodman Rilos, move with them and check for any recent activity. I question the ability of a troll to lay an ambush, but if danger lurks here already, we do not wish to be caught unawares. Lord Ismort, Lady Lebeda, stay with me - if the signal is given, we will move, but otherwise the civilian contingent should not be left unguarded until we are sure this structure is clear."

The queen pulls her rifle from the sling on her back, checking the chamber before looking back to the other members of the group.

"If there are no questions, we should not delay. The sooner we finish clearing these ruins, the sooner we can begin converting them to something useful."

[Cleavon]

Brohn

Dismounting as well Brohn unslung his bow and knocked an arrow. He waited until Gothos and the rest were ready to survey the place, and took point. He kept his eyes sharp and went slow, looking out for traps, both new and perhaps left over from the towers younger days, as well as any sign of creatures and the like being about.

Some rolls!

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Here are some rolls for checking the place out.

Perception(General, taking a look at the place as a whole when we first arrive)(1d20+13)[18]

Perception(When we move in, going slow and making a point to check the entry ways)
(1d20+13)[29]

[Drothmal]

" Lord Ismort, Lady Lebeda, stay with me - if the signal is given, we will move, but otherwise the civilian contingent should not be left unguarded until we are sure this structure is clear."

Caelon nods at his liege, dismounting from his saddle and retrieving his five foot tall mythril shield, ready to dash in whichever direction his protective powers will do most good.

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Perception check to keep an eye out for any dangers that may attack our NPCs
perception - (1d20+7)[12]

[Blisstake]

Brohn (Perception)

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The portcullis (G1) is rigged to fall as soon as someone passes it. You can attempt a disable device check if you'd like.

This must have been done relatively recently. Someone or something is occupying these ruins.

[DrK]

Gothos nods to Neila as he drops down from his horse. "A forbidding looking place, though formidable once we have repaired the damage. It could be a good anchor to our western border."

Slinging out the axe he spins it round a couple of times experimentally. As he gazes at the ruined fort carefully before nodding casually to Brohn and moving forwards towards the open gate. His normal armoured form now bolstered by the crossed slings containing bottles of acid and alchemists fire. At (assuming he does) Brohn's warning he pauses. Yellow eyes darting around the ruins. "A nasty trap that eh Brohn. Maybe round the side in through the ruins?"

Wakling around the edge of the wall he heads for the ruined gap in the walls, crouching atop the crumbled head of stone and surveying the interior of the tower and the courtyard. A mumbled "Let us see what manner of beast lives here eh?"

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Perception (1d20+6)[7]

[Blisstake]

The interior of the edifice is just as quiet as the exterior. If anything is living inside these walls, then it is being extremely quiet. In the center of the fort is a circular stone room, with stairs leading up. The four towers in each corner all have closed wooden doors, weathered from years of exposure to the harsh elements.

[Cleavon]

Brohn

Kneeling down he held his hand up for Gothos to halt and eyed the area around the portcullis. He stood and walked closer, freeing his hands for now. Looking up at Gothos he grinned as he fetched his tools from his belt.

"Aye, either meant to bring it down on your head or trap you inside so they can do as they like..."

He began to work at the mechanisms of the trap around the portcullis. Careful probing touches finding the right elements to tweak and fiddle with to disable the thing and remove the threat of it coming crashing down.

Disable Device!

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Here goes:
(1d20+14)[22]

"Something tells me it's probably something a bit smarter than a beast. Traps like this aren't easy to set."

[Blisstake]

Brohn manages to jam the portcullis so that it can no longer trigger. The front entrance is now safe to move through.

[Blisstake]

As Gothos surveys the inside of the ruins, there is an immediate, almost imperceptible flash of motion. A green blur speeds toward the half-orc, then retreats inside the center room, only leaving behind a cut in Gothos' arm, and a splotch of blood on the snow.

The speed of the attack is astonishing, and whatever caused the injury is once again out of sight, hiding somewhere in the middle of the abandoned keep.

Round 1

{table=head]~ |-A-|-B-|-C-|-D-|-E-|-F-|-G-|-H-|-I-|-J-|-K-|-L-|-M-|-N-|-O-|-P-|-Q-|-R-
-2| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | w | | |
-1| | | | w | | | w | | | | | | | | w | w | |
0 | | | w | | | | | w | | | | | | | | w | |
1 | | w | s | | | | | | w | | | | | | | w | |
2 | | w | s | | | | | | w | | | | | | | B | |
3 | | w | s | | | | | | w | | | | | | | | | C
4 | | w | s | s | | | | ? | w | | | | | | | w | | N
5 | | | w | | | | | w | | | | | | | | w | | V
6 | | | | w | | | w | | | | | | | | w | w | |
7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | w | | |
8 | | | | | | | | | | | | w | w | w | w | | |
9 | | | | | | | | | | | w | d | | | w | w | |
10| | | | | | | | | | | w | | | | | w | |
11| w | r | r | | | | | | | | w | | | | | w | |
12| w | w | r | r | r | r | | | w | w | w | w | | | w | w | |
13| | r | r | r | Gr | w | w | w | w | | | w | w | w | w | | |
14| | | r | r | r | | | | | | | | | | | | |
[/table]

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Gothos takes 13 damage (+3 bleed), and must make a DC 14 fortitude save against blue whinnis

w are walls; they can't be passed normally. They're made of stone
d is the door to the SE tower. It's currently closed
r is rubble. Difficult terrain
s are the stairs up
? is the creature that attacked Gothos. No one got a good look at it. The only thing you know is that it's green and very fast.

The soldiers are further to the right. You have my word they won't get killed off if you leave them for a bit

[Drothmal]

"Gothos!!" exclaims the paladin, seeing his companion being injured.

"You wretched creatures! Come and face me!!" cries the Champion of Erastil as he runs into the middle of the battlefield without the slightest hint of hesitation in his stride.

Actions

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If I can use Antagonize against a known creature (but without LoS)
Move to N3, use Antagonize(intimidate) to challenge foe
intimidate - (1d20+11)[12]


If I cannot use Antagonize, then run action to G5 (almost sure I can make it there, if not as close as possible to there).

Run to H6 (see OoC discussion)

In either case, if the enemy that hurt Gothos is spotted, use Swift action to activate Bastion of Good.

Status

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Hp= 48/48
AC= 26 (9 armor + 6 Shield + 1 Dex); 25 if running; 29 if running and Bastioning

[Cleavon]

Brohn

As he rolled up his tools and tucked them away he saw that blur, and the blood spattering the ground. He took to running then, just as he heard Caelon shout and move into the keep. His bow in hand he drew an arrow and held it firm, huffing a bit at having to rush to cover whatever might have slashed at the half-orc.

Actions!

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It's a bit longer than a double move, so I suppose running is in order. Moving to D7. 14 squares in all by shortest route.

Status!

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HP: 49/49
AC: 20
Fort: +7
Ref: +9
Will: +4
CMD: 22

[Selinia]

While Nelia had expected some form of resistance here, an enemy of such swiftness left her momentarily reeling. She had heard of fey possessed of this sort of unfathomable speed, but it was rather unsettling to see one in action - if that was in fact what this entity was. Thankfully, the queen's habitual discipline quickly reasserts itself, and she moves forward while softly reciting an incantation to hamper the stealth and swiftness of such a creature. Allowing her rifle to slip back into its harness for the moment, Nelia instead draws a light wooden shield emblazoned with the heraldry of Arkendale, ready to ward off any sudden assaults.

Actions:

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Grumblegrumble large maps grumblegrumble wall grumblegrumble.

Moving to L3, drawing Nelia's shield and pepperbox as part of the movement. Readying an action to cast Glitterdust (Will save DC 17 or four rounds of Blindness and glorious Bedazzlement) on the enemy if it moves into range (45', counting Glitterdust's 10' burst radius).

Status:

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HP: 43/43

Bardsong Rounds: 14/14
Level 1 Spells: 5/5
Level 2 Spells: 1/2

Grit: 5/5
Rifle Chamber: 4/4
Pepperbox Chamber: 4/4

AC: 21
Fort: +4 | Ref: +9 | Will: +2

[Euheana]

Her vision blocked by the wall, Vasilia could only guess what had happened from the noise of Gothos' flesh ripping. With no time to spare, she rushes into the ruin behind her Queen.

Actions!

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I move to square M4 and cast Mage Armor, since I didn't specify so before.

Status!

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HP: 42/42
AC: 19
Fort: +3
Reflex: +4
Will: +4

[DrK]

Gothos looked down at the wound... green blood leeching from the deep wound in his side as he dropped to one knee before propping himself upright on the haft of the axe...

Standing there he called down the blessing of the lord of iron as metallic flecks of the armour flaked off mixing with the blood of the wound before forming a rusty red and green crust.

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Cure light (1d8+4)[12]

Looking at the entrance he stands ready this time, axe held at arms length watching for a villainous cowardly attack.

[Blisstake]

Round 2

As everyone gets into position, and Caelon issues his challenge, he hears a sinister snickering come from the central room. In another burst of speed, the small green creature emerges from the room, and dashes to the paladin, inflicting a painful wound.

As the fey begins to speed off to the opened gate, Neila casts her spell, sending a ray of dazzling lights toward her target, but it appears to power through the incantation.

Despite the creature moving his position once again, a new danger makes itself known. One of the plants, half covered in snow rises up to reveal a thick sharp vine, that swings at the ranger. Thankfully his armor deflects the blow, preventing the animated plant from causing any serious damage.

{table=head]~ |-A-|-B-|-C-|-D-|-E-|-F-|-G-|-H-|-I-|-J-|-K-|-L-|-M-|-N-|-O-|-P-|-Q-|-R-
-2| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | w | | |
-1| | | | w | | | w | | | | | | | | w | w | |
0 | | | w | | | | | w | | | | | | | | w | ? |
1 | | w | s | | | | | | w | | | | | | | w | |
2 | | w | s | | | | | | w | | | | | | | | |
3 | | w | s | | | | | | w | | | N | | | | | |
4 | | w | s | s | | | | | w | | | | V | | | w | |
5 | | | w | | | | | w | | | | | | | | w | |
6 | | | | w | | | w | C | | | | | | | w | w | |
7 | | | | B | | | | | | | | | | | w | | |
8 | | | | | | | | | | | | w | w | w | w | | |
9 | | | A | A | | | | | | | w | d | | | w | w | |
10| | | A | A | | | | | | | w | | | | | w | |
11| w | r | r | | | | | | | | w | | | | | w | |
12| w | w | r | r | r | r | | | w | w | w | w | | | w | w | |
13| | r | r | r | Gr | w | w | w | w | | | w | w | w | w | | |
14| | | r | r | r | | | | | | | | | | | | |
[/table]

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21 damage, and 3 bleed to Caelon.

A is an assassin vine that was hiding under the snow. It missed though.
? is the quickling

Brohn, Gothos, and Neila recognize the plant as an assassin vine.
Vasilia and Neila recognize the fey as a quickling

[Selinia]

Nelia repeats her spell, attempting to put a bit more power into it this time - she knew enough about fey to understand the futility of firing on it with her primary weapon. Quicklings were beings of swiftness and evasion, and the baroness understood full well that despite the power of a rifle she was a mediocre marksman at best. As she repositions, Nelia takes a moment to address Vasilia in her usual cold tone.

"Lady Lebeda, if that creature is allowed to run rampant it could strike any of us on a whim. Please, direct your attention to the enemy - we must rob it of its haste by any means possible. From your earlier discussion, I believe you to possess magic suitable for such a task?"

Action:

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Move to P3 and Glitterdust (DC 17) this jerk once more. Free action to lament Nelia's tragic dearth of level two spell slots.

Status:

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HP: 43/43

Bardsong Rounds: 14/14
Level 1 Spells: 5/5
Level 2 Spells: 1/2

Grit: 5/5
Rifle Chamber: 4/4
Pepperbox Chamber: 4/4

AC: 21
Fort: +4 | Ref: +9 | Will: +2

[Cleavon]

Brohn

Being quite allergic to melee combat, Brohn deftly dodges the whipping vines first attack and then pitches into a(hopefully) skillful roll to end up away from the things reach for the moment.

Actions!

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Acrobatics check to not provoke when I move away. Half speed, moving to G7. One attack once movement is stopped.

Acrobatics:
(1d20+3)[23]

Attack:
(1d20+11)[24]

Damage:
(1d8+2)[10]

[DrK]

Howling a battle cry Gothos leaps forward sliding down the ruins as he leaps upon the assassin vine with great sweeps of his great axe!

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Move and attack the vine (1d20+11)[30] dam (1d12+14)[15]

[Euheana]

As the small creature flew past her, the sheer speed of the fey caught Vasilia off guard. When she saw it return into the ruined tower after attacking Gothos, she thought it had been planning an ambush--but it was apparent now it had too much energy to wait around in one place for long.

My Queen, I apologize. I...miscalculated the situation.

She proceeded to follow the quickling out of the ruin, taking out a snake's tongue and honeycomb from her reagents bag as she ran. Once the fey was in her sights, she addressed the creature in a commanding tone.

You can very well see my friends and I are armed. For the sake of both parties involved, you will cease fighting with us.

Actions

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I move to Q3 and cast Suggestion (DC 21) on the quickling.

Status

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HP: 42/42
AC: 19
Fort: +3
Reflex: +4
Will: +4

[Drothmal]

As he runs towards the fray, Caelon suddenly feels a burning sensation to his side. When the paladin turns to locate the source of the damage, not only he sees a deep gash from a slash (expertly delivered between the plates of his armor), but also that the attacker is long gone.

"Sanare!" exclaims the Champion of Erastil, calling upon his deity to mend his wounds as he examines the battlefield.

Caelon's first instinct is to follow after Neila and Vasilia in order to protect the noblewomen from being harmed. But, as the bard and the wizard blast the fey with their powerful spells, the paladin realizes that his worries are unfounded and instead charges at the dangerous creature facing Gothos and Brohn.

Actions

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Swift: Lay on Hands heal - (2d6)[5]
Move: Move to E8 (should not provoke AoOs)
Standard: Attack!
attack - (1d20+10)[21]
damage - (1d8+6)[8]

Status

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Hp= 48- 21 - 3 + LoH (5) = 29/48
AC= 26 (9 armor + 6 Shield + 1 Dex)

[Blisstake]

Neila chants her spell a second time, sending the burst of dazzling energy toward the quickling who screams as his vision suddenly fades. Although his vision is impaired, he is able to hear Vasilia's enchantment spell. Magically compulsed, he runs away from the group blinded, running straight into a tree, before escaping from sight.

The assassin vine lashes out weakly, but is easily overpowered by Gothos, Brohn, and Caelon.

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The vine is at 4hp, so let's just say you kill it... no point dragging it on another turn. Victory!

Also, DrK, can I get two saves from Gothos for the blue whinnis poison?

There is once again silence in the old fort.

[Drothmal]

The foe vanquished, Caelon takes inventory of everyone's wounds: Realizing that he is the only one still wounded, the paladin calls upon his divine powers once more.

"Sanare!"

Weapons still raised, the Councilor of Arkendale turns to his liege.

"My Queen, the enemy is retreating: Should we pursue? I would advice against it, for there might be still dangers lurking around this fortress."

Unless commanded otherwise by Neila, Caelon then begins to move towards the main structure from where the evil Fey came from.

"Gothos, Master Rilos, I will take point in investigating the building, should another creature be lurking inside"

Sword and shield readied, the paladin enters the building and examines its interior.

[Cleavon]

Brohn

Brohn had turned to level his bow at the little fey creature but the thing was long gone, reeling from the enchantments cast upon it before he could loose an arrow. Turning back to the assassin vine he saw the thing expertly hacked apart and stood a bit more relieved, at least they had no immediate threats for the moment.

He listened to the paladin and nodded a bit, knocking another arrow. He kept his eyes keen as he surveyed the areas they entered, following Caelon wherever he went. It would serve them a little better to stay together as they searched, he figured.

Actions!

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Follow behind Caelon if he moves in to search more of the ruins, the doors etc. Keeping an eye out for anything suspicious as we go.

Perception, just in case there is something its needed for:
(1d20+13)[21]

[Blisstake]

Caelon takes point into the central room, and promptly steps on a pressure plate, releasing a pale red vapor into the room from cracks in the buildling's facade.

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Maybe that wasn't the best idea

DC 16 fortitude save or (1d3)[3] widsom damage per round. 1 save cures. Only Caelon is affected.

[Drothmal]

"Everyone stand back!" yells the paladin just before the red vapor envelops him. "Erastil, give me the strength to prevail" prays the paladin as he holds his breath inside of the crimson mist.

Caelon feels the chemicals trying to cloud his mind and dull his will. But the Champion of Erastil would have none of it, and soon the vapor dissipates, leaving the holy warrior unscathed.

[Selinia]

Nelia seems momentarily relived when the creature is struck by blindness, robbing it of sight and coordination... but that quickly evaporates as the group's more accomplished magician issues her enchanting command. After momentarily struggling (and failing) to draw a bead on the fleeing fey, the queen rounds on Vasilia, words dripping with pure ice.

"Brilliant work, Lady Lebeda. You have commanded the creature to flee, untouched and beyond our ability to track or control. Well done." Any difference from her normal tone is near imperceptible, but Nelia manages to convey an undercurrent of frustration nonetheless.

"Do bear in mind that that was a quickling - a fey of chaos and evil, and one perfectly willing to assault us unprovoked. Furthermore, a being whose swiftness and talents at stealth make it an extraordinarily dangerous foe for even trained soldiers. We have earned its ire, and thanks in large part to your careless wording, it still roams free. I will make contact with the nearby fey and see if they can assist in tracking it down, and Goodman Rilos will see to the planting of traps for it, but know that this is costing us valuable time, simply to ensure our laborers do not find their throats slit the moment they step away to a privy. In the meantime, if you wish to continue traveling with us, I strongly recommend that you speak to Lord Ismort regarding our tactics."

Offering the enchantress only a curt gesture of dismissal, Nelia returns her attention to the others once more, following after Caelon and Brohn, sighing as the paladin charges into the fortress and suffers its retribution.

"Lord Ismort, caution, please. We cannot afford to be overly hasty. So long as that quickling lives, we must consider the lives of our civilians to be in peril, and I will not tolerate a flagrant disregard for your own health when you may be called on to defend them. Beyond that, all we can do is alert the nearby sanctuaries to its presence, and hope that it falls victim to one of our snares. Its speed certainly renders conventional pursuit pointless."

Nelia looks to the dangerous facade, considering the presence of further traps.

"...and have someone fetch a few kegs of water. We need to sweep this place for traps, and there are more efficent ways to do so than by hurling the councilor of my kingdom into their jaws."

[Euheana]

Vasilia was able to keep her composure reasonably well while Nelia addressed her; she was more than used to being criticized at court. The fact that Nelia was so much her junior did irritate her a bit, but that alone wasn't enough to bring the wizard to retort with any harsh words.

Vasilia waited for the Queen to finish with her orders, and turned back to her once she was done.

"I understand my actions have been less than satisfactory; in the future, I will place a higher priority on capturing our foes. As of now, the quickling will be gone for 5 hours...so at the very least we have an estimate of when he might start to return."

[Blisstake]

Calling some of the soldiers in, an exhaustive sweep is performed on the first level of the keep. There do not appear to be any remaining traps, but the towers on each corner of the keep contain a few valuables in various coins and jewelry, hidden in locked chests that Brohn is able to pick after a few minutes.

The only room remaining in the keep is the second level of the central room.

Loot

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3,000gp worth of gold, jewelry, and miscellaneous items
A heavy statuette of the elven goddess Findeladlara. The statue is made of preserved mithral, and shows remarkable craftsmanship. This is the statue that Lily was asking for. You can make an appraise check if you'd like, to estimate the value.

[Drothmal]

Caelon did not mind putting himself in danger, but when the bard accurately points out that his actions might indirectly endanger his companions and his charges, the paladin actually blushes at his actions.

"My apologies, my Queen. I overreacted after seeing the damage done to Master Gothos by the dangers lurking in this keep. I will try to be more careful in the future..." promises the holy warrior, after which he adds with a smile "as long as no one else's life was in danger"

Nonetheless, the paladin allows for the ranger and the other less... trap enthusiastic members of the expedition take over the search and deactivation.

While the others do their work, the paladin approaches the wizard

"Lady Lebeda, it might be too presumptuous of me, but I would like to apologize for the Queen: Sometimes her passion for protecting the citizens of Arkendale makes her words sound... less well meant that she intended to.

I want to personally thank you for joining our expedition and for using your magical powers to our cause: I rather have that fey running away than deciding to make a last stand against the civilians we brought with us."

When the treasure is collected and the statue is brought forward, the champion of Erastil cannot help but to be marveled at the craftmanship.

"This is truly marvelous... The craftmanship is almost unreal. Could it be magical?" asks Caelon aloud as he tries to remember more about the elven Goddess portrayed.


Before the party proceeds to explore the last room, the Councilor of Arkendale calls upon his powers to search for any evil auras that may threaten his companions.

Actions

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Knowledge religion activate! What would Caelon know about this Findeladlara? Could a statue of this kind have some special meaining?
Religion - (1d20+5)[13]

- Detect evil towards the second floor (can't detect past 1 foot of stone, but up to 3 feet of wood). If nothing is detected, move up the stairs (assuming Brohn has checked it for traps/Neila has used mage hand to swipe for pressure plates)

[DrK]

Gothos looks at the remains of the vines before chopping them slightly maker for good measure. He watches carefully the path that the evil demented fey went, knowing it may return. Though he doesn't voice it as loudly as Neila.

As the soldiers begin to set up camp he orders them to sweep properly lest knives in the dark steal away their lives. The camp emerging he moves to join Caelon, A nasty creature Brother, one that has a sharp sting. We must he wary lest it return. Shall I lead to these new chambers? That said Gothos will take point exploring the last level.