Ryuko's Forging of a Kingdom (Inactive)

Game Master Ryuko

Watch five intrepid adventurers bring the whole of the Stolen Lands to civility.


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Male Shadeling Shadowcaster Wizard 5(Shadow Subscool)/Veiled Illusionist 1

Kheldor watches the brief battle in slight awe. He knew his companions would make quick work of the bear, but not this quick. "Let us take a moment to thank the gods, and especially Gorum, that Anton is on our side." He says with a smile.

As the temple transforms, his smile grows "Truly we've done the work of the divine today. Arkady, do you think Erastil would mind if I made a small shrine to Desna nearby? Not in His temple of course, but in this same area?"


Male Human Paladin 2

Arkady shrugs helplessly. "What do I know of the gods' housing arrangements, beyond the tales everyone knows? Ask Jhod when we return to Oleg's."


Anton's quiet in the presence of a manifestation of a powerful fighting god, but knows that Gorum is present in all battles.

"Thanks, Kata for your casting, it did save valuable time, at the very least Brave Gildas's life, a valiant warrior." For the minute that he has the advantage of height what does Anton see that would not be visible from the others?

Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 What's there?

"Erastil, is the open god of hearth and hospitality, I'm sure we can shelter here as people of good will. Yes, before light fails, we should look to see what is about. I'm sure the good brother will want a full report."

His eyes still seeing spots from the bears charge, Anton see his boots, but only just.

Ok, Here's the deal, I get all the bad rolls out of the way and when we fight the Stag Lord I roll all 20's, right? ;)


"You are most kind Anton. I am grateful we have you and Arkady so courageous in the face of such might. I wonder what we shall find in this place." Kata moves on into the ruins, looking for clues about its history and that of the bear. I wonder if the fae had a hand in addition to the god? Men changing into beasts hints of their nature.
Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Knowledge (History) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Knowledge (Nature) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

There is little inside the cave. It has obviously been home to the bear for a long, long time. There is a small altar with symbols of Erastil and several mounds that you realize after a moment are the very old remains of rotted pews. It does however, seem a good place to stay the night.

The little fey come flying forward, chattering excitedly about the battle and asking all manner of forward and unflattering questions. They seem eager to stay the night with you.


Male Human Paladin 2

"Let us sleep, then" Arkady says after the party has throughly checked the cave (by taking 20 on Perception checks) and found very little. "Perhaps they had other buildings, once, and they have rotted. I do not know."

Arkady assigns Linier to come up with something sufficiently nourishing and tasty that everyone will sleep soundly tonight.


"I agree, let's get some rest. Do you all want to continue to the west tomorrow? Or, shall we go toward one of these other areas our new friends have alerted us to?"


Male Human Paladin 2

"If I recall their words aright,"Arkady says, glancing up at the two fey folk peering down toward their fire and Linier's muttered words over the frying pan, "our new friends spoke of this place, and of a trapper, but apparently they have no need of help there. Unless they know of other places, perhaps we should continue our march westward through the forest. How far does it extend? Do we know what lies beyond it?"

He leans back, staring at the rough rock ceiling lit with flickering firelight. "Perhaps we might tell you a tale, sparkle-skin and long-legs? What would you hear? Of the men of Brevoy? Of the tales my mother told me of the fey folk in her land? Of Old Deadeye and his Stag? Something else?"

Devlin comes back from finding stabling for the horses over against the back wall. "Strange, seeing those old wooden bits. Would have thought the bear would smash them. Had to calm the horses for a bit, with all that bear scent in the cave. Hope we don't have bad dreams tonight." He bends over the food Linier is serving with an eager grin.


"More than a bear though, I guess fuzzy memories of his life before made him keep the familiar around him. I don't know what sin he committed to deserve that fate." Anton also is eager for a meal after the fight. "We should just go anywhere we haven't while we can, everywhere that we've gone something new has popped up, we can finish to the west then we need not go back again if nothing is found." Anton will prepare for a rest, nap or sleep depending on the time o'day.


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

As everyone begins to ready for the night, Devlin returns, having brought down one of the largest bucks you've ever seen. There is more than enough food for everyone. The night goes by with not a single creature disturbing your peace. It is as if Erastil himself watches over you, and in the morning you ready yourselves to move forward.

Where to?


Male Human Paladin 2

Arkady yawns and stretches as morning light begins to filter into the cave, then makes sure Gildas is well-fed and in good shape. Over breakfast, he says "I think we should continue west and north, perhaps as far as the boundary of our charter. If we find out what lies in this area, we need not return for a while -- there would likely be few bandits deep in the forest, as there is nothing for them to prey upon, and our charter is to explore and suppress bandits. We can finish the first here and then return to the second."


Anton rouses slowly, blinking his eyes, yawning widely and a bit alarmingly with his fangs, looking rather like a bear himself. He sets about simple preparations then says, "With respect to Ol' Deadeye, I'm going a bit into the woods and then I'll perform services. Any one else is welcome of course." He switches back into his breastplate and puts on the vestments, then strides into the woods about 400 yards, and begins services. When finished, he comes back and breaks fast.

"A sound plan, Sir Arkady, let's be about it."


Male Shadeling Shadowcaster Wizard 5(Shadow Subscool)/Veiled Illusionist 1

Damn, I wanted to use Mending to repair the pews, but its limited to 1 lbs/level. I doubt the pews weigh two pounds.


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

The fey excuse themselves in the morning, eager to return to their own games and fun. They ask you to stop by again next time you are in the neighborhood. After beginning to set your feet northward once more you search for a few hours before finding the body of a man, crushed under three large logs which he seemed to be attempting to make a deadfall with. The man wears the furs and simple clothes of a hunter or trapper, and his arms reach towards a handaxe buried in a stump a few feet from his hands.

Appraise DC 5 or pick up Handaxe:
The handaxe has been exquisitely carved and is of masterwork quality.

Perception DC 25:
One of the ropes holding up the deadfall has snapped, but the other looks to have been cut by something sharp.

Heal DC 10:
The body has begun to rot, but not for long. You'd guess he's been dead for only four to five days.


Kata looks over the remains of the hunter. Killed by his own craft. Either this man wasn't very skilled or something else took place.
Appraise 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Heal 1d20 ⇒ 12
"A fine axe for one of you. It looks extremely well made, but I would prefer to allow you to stand before me still. This man appears to not be long dead. Only four to five days at most."


"Good day, kind friends."Anton waves goodbye to there new friends. Nice but wearying.

Appraise 1d20 ⇒ 8

"I'm sure your right, Kata, but I'm good with my sword so I've never practised with that weapon."

Heal1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Well, so recent, I can't tell, seems fresher than that to me, I believe we need to bury this man." Anton looks around puzzled. "Kata, Arkady, why hasn't this body been ... devoured already by some scavenger? My wood-lore is weak but shouldn't something have dragged him off already?"

No point in trying perception, even a 20 fails.


"That is a devilishly good question Anton. I wonder if there are other forces at play here."
Knowledge (Nature) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15


Male Human Paladin 2

"Wolves, ravens, insects... many things happen to dead bodies. Perhaps some magic is laid upon him? Cousin, could you check? Our late friends may not be the only fey in these woods, and one would have expected humans to tend the body. Perhaps we can at least see that it is burned or buried. There are no rocks here to raise a cairn."

Survival 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 to see if there is any natural explanation for the condition of the body. Perhaps the cold and rainy spring has slowed decomposition?

Arkady takes the axe and swings it a few times. "Well-balanced and well-made. The man who owned this was not poor, to make or purchase such a tool. A trapper with a rich haul, I think." He flips the axe in reversal and holds it out to the others. "Not my weapon, I fear. Too short to swing from a horse's back, though I might use it were I unhorsed. And Anton uses Gorum's sword, not this light thing. Marcus, could you make use of this until we return to Oleg's? We shall have to inquire there if they knew this man, and wether he had friends or family to inherit his tools. Though, truly, there are so few folk out here they might not know that."

Arkady will take the axe if nobody else wants it.


Kata moves to examine the body and severed rope more closely. I wonder if there is any magic at play here...
Casts detect magic
Spellcraft if there is any magic. She doesn't have Knowledge (Arcana) so may come up blank if there is any aura. 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26


Male Shadeling Shadowcaster Wizard 5(Shadow Subscool)/Veiled Illusionist 1

Kheldor looks around, trying to see if there's anything out of the ordinary, beyond the dead body 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Perception

"Think this could have been the trapper our fae friends were talking about?"


"Yes, very few. And that I think answers your question Kheldor, as well. A dead trapper nearby, few people in the woods, I have no doubt that this is the man."

Anton gazes at the body. I pointless death, no battle, no glory. A terrible way to leave this world. Anton will lay out the corpse.

"I have no shovel, do we bring the body back with us? Gathering enough wood for a burning would take much time and leave a smoke trail. Burying is hard, cairn not possible here. No easy task."

How inconvenient of you to die here as well. Suppose you don't care. Anton lips quirk in a near smile as he contemplate dealing with the body.


Male Human Paladin 2

Arkady makes a note to buy a shovel next time they're back at Oleg's. There are too many dead bodies lying around for such a low population. Maybe he can hire a gravedigger.


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

Haha. Very good show lol.

None of your deductive skills indicate anything wrong with the body, all evidence points to it having just been killed by the fall.

After making whatever arrangements you deem necessary you camp in a nearby clearing.

Arkady and Devlin Hunt:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13///1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Neither hunter returns with anything of substance and each of you gets only a cold trail ration for the night. In the morning you continue to head north, reaching the border of Brevoy.

Fickle Hand of Fate:
1d20 ⇒ 15
1d20 ⇒ 15
1d8 ⇒ 2

Perception DC 20:
There are a few beartraps in this area, strewn about to catch animals. Anton is about to step into one.


"Is there a natural depressed area around here. Maybe we can push enough soil over him to cover him up fully. Best we can do I guess..." Anton trails off uncertainly.

We'll do that unless someone has a better idea.

Anton goes through his daily routine as normal. He heads out with the others as usual, heading north till it appears that we've passed outside our mandate.

Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10


"I'm afraid I don't have a better idea. I can make you larger to make pushing the dirt around easier, but I think that is the best we can do for now."
Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7


Male Human Paladin 2

Devlin Perception check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Linier Perception check 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Gildas Perception check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

The two outriders notice nothing as they ride well behind the rest of the party, and neither do the horses. Arkady is busy watching for threats elsewhere assuming that Gildas can handle not stepping in something.


Male Shadeling Shadowcaster Wizard 5(Shadow Subscool)/Veiled Illusionist 1

Kheldor scans the area, aware that trouble can come from anywhere. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Perception


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

Reflex Save:1d20 ⇒ 8 Damage:2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Anton hears a small click on his next step and is unable to pull his foot back before a bear trap closes painfully on it, though his armor blunted much of the force of the blow.

Perception DC 15:
Now that you know what to look for you realize there are bear traps here damn near as far as the eye can see. It seems your dead trapper friend was busy before his demise.


Male Human Paladin 2

Perception check for Arkady 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Perception check for Devlin 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Perception check for Linier 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Linier stares at the bear trap around Antin's foot, then jerks around. "There's a lot more of them out there. Be careful. It's like Rally Day in Galt with those traps."

Arkady descends from his horse and helps pry the trap off Anton's leg. Take 20 on the Strength check if necessary.


Anton screams, "Ahggah! By Gorum's Protruding P(censored for family viewing). What's that?" Anton stares at the trap. In a more controlled voice he says,""Damn, aren't trappers suppose to place them better than that?"

Anton aids Arkady's efforts to free him. Strength check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 to aid.

Dice error: rerolled correctly.


"Gods! Anton! What is that beastly device?" She kneels down to look at his mangled leg and then joins Arkady and the other men looking for more trouble.
Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
"I'm glad you have eyes for this Linier. It seems that trapper was hiding them well in places he shouldn't."


Male Human Paladin 2

"Let me see if I can do something about that leg," Arkady says. Concentrating, he calls on Erastil's gifts to restore the bruised and torn muscles.

Lay on hands heals 1d6 ⇒ 3 damage

"Such a careless trapper, too, spreading them all over the field. Did he bring a wagonload of them out here? Did any of the other traps catch anything? Why didn't he put them along trails or by waterholes or something."


Male Shadeling Shadowcaster Wizard 5(Shadow Subscool)/Veiled Illusionist 1

Kheldor starts slightly at Anton's scream, then notices the trap "Well that's decidedly unpleasant. We gotta avoid those for sure."


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

After slowly prying the trap off of Anton and helping to heal him, the group realizes the traps would likely be a danger to many travellers.

It would take 2 days of work to find them all and trigger or disarm them, or about a day to flag them all so that intelligent creatures wouldn't run into them, though you'd need some form of flag.


"Even though its going to take a lot of time, I think we need to do what we can to make these lands safe, and that includes removing these traps. Perhaps Oleg could take them off our hands and sell them to a more responsible hunter."


Male Human Paladin 2

"Spring them, I think. It will take time, and there are few travelers in this area, but I think we would rather not leave them free to catch animals and waste the meat and hide. Later we can return with a wagon and gather up as many of them as may be found. How did he get them all out here without one?!"


I don't recall Arkady ever saying or doing anything that would make anyone believe he was not a fighter/cavalier.

Anton is relived when Arkady opens the trap, then amazed when he heals him. "Sir Arkady, I did not know you could heal, you have the favor of Erastil to perform miracles in his name. I had no idea."

At the chatter about the traps, "We cannot leave these about for anyone to fall into. And it's a waste for an animal to be trapped and not taken by the trapper. I surprised there are not many such animals already so trapped. Perhaps the fey were warning them away."


M

Arkady did mention something about Erastil's gifts in one of those campfire conversations earlier, but looking back I can see where that might have been missed. He wasn't trying to hide it, in any case.

Arkady finds a branch and sets about springing traps, after making sure that Anton is all right.


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

Fickle Hands of Fate:
Arkady:1d2 ⇒ 1
Anton:1d2 ⇒ 2
Kata:1d2 ⇒ 2
Kheldor:1d2 ⇒ 1
Arkady:1d20 ⇒ 6
Kheldor:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Arkady:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Kheldor:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Encounter Day 1:1d20 ⇒ 10
Day 21d20 ⇒ 14

The two days are harrowing, setting traps hard to notice and sleeping in the wild in the same place, but they pass fairly quietly. Kheldor barely escapes a trap he doesn't notice quickly here. Arkady isn't as lucky and a trap in a hollow closes painfully on his foot.

Damage:2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Survival Rolls:
Arkady:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10///1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Devlin:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9///1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

The first night finds no luck in hunting and each of you settles for a cold ration. The second night Devlin comes back into camp sporting a mighty elk, shot clean throuh the heart. There is enough meat for all and you enjoy the delicious meal.

45 Days Rations left.
Assuming you're continuing westward.

Fickle Hand of Fate:
1d20 ⇒ 13
1d20 ⇒ 17

Hunting:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9///1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Devlin once more proves his worth with a small boar caught on the edge of the forest to the south, freeing the need for some of the rations.

40 Rations Remaining

Fickle Hand of Fate:
1d20 ⇒ 8
1d20 ⇒ 8

The next morning leads you to a brambly area of grasslands with early blackberries and other prickly plants.

Perception DC 15:
One clump of tall bushes is climbing over some sort of stone protrusion that looks man made, but it's impossible to tell what without clearning it a bit.


Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
"It is good we are traveling with you Devlin. Your skill at hunting is very much appreciated. We would be returning to Oleg's nearly every day if not for your talents." Finding her eye drawn to soemthing unusual about the brambles, she trains her sight on the area and is rewarded by spying the stone. "Look there! An ancient stone hidden in the bushes. Shall we see what it portends? We should be careful, the fae seem to be thick in these lands and some of the old people worshipped them with strange magicks."


Male Human Paladin 2

"Worth investigating," Arkady says shortly, as he begins carefully clearing a path through the brambles with the trapper's handaxe. "Can you sense any magic about it, cousin?"


Male Shadeling Shadowcaster Wizard 5(Shadow Subscool)/Veiled Illusionist 1

Once Kata points out the strange rocks, Kheldor quickly casts a minor enchantment that lets him sense magickal energies and examines the stone Casting Detect Magic and 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Perception


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

After prying off the brambles for a few minutes it becomes clear the item is a large pile of stones, with the largest poking through the top and covered in carved runes. None of the rocks are magical.

Knowledge (History or Local) DC 15 or Linguistics DC 20:
This is a burial mound for the Kellish barbarians that used to people this area, the body would be buried beneath. Most of these were knocked over and looted in the times between, but this one must have been missed.


Male Human Paladin 2

Arkady can't make any of those checks.

"Hey, runes!"


Sorry about the slow posting, busy days right now.

Not a chance for me either, on those rolls.

Anton surveys the fallen stones, the inevitability of destruction over time.

Anton speaks slowly but with a quiet building fury. He turns to the others.

"All that we seek to build will, one day, be this. This truth is the reason to seek yourself in battle, with a goal that you make your own, knowing that you buy, with blood, but one fleeting moment, that is everything."

Turning back to the stones, Anton draws and swings his blade in a wide arc.

Anton roars, "Hear me Lord in Iron, I see fate's end before me, knowing all I do, will be but broken rock one day. I do not care. What I do matters for me, here and now. I don't fight for you! I don't fight for the future! I fight for the true me! I fight for my comrades, that they may know a moments transcendence. Stones mean nothing, empty lands mean nothing! I defy you to bring destruction upon my work, I know you will win one day, but not while I stand. SO I PLEDGE MY BLOOD!"

Gorum and his followers have such an interesting relationship with each other :)


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

You guys have 3200 xp at this point. Just a note for me.


Male Shadeling Shadowcaster Wizard 5(Shadow Subscool)/Veiled Illusionist 1

Kheldor looks stricken by Anton's display and oath. "I really hope you didn't just alert any potential nearby enemies to our location. Subtly is not a word in your vocabulary, is it?"

We using fast track XP?


Male Human Super Cruel DM 10

Nope, nice try though. Medium track, so 5000xp before third level.


Male Human Paladin 2

Arkady steps back slightly, sweating from his brush-clearing. "You are not alone in the fight. Every building rots and falls -- but it can be patched. The fire on the hearth falls to ashes -- if it is not fed. The noble house fades -- when there are no children. Everything we build decays. Therefore we work together to repair it, and teach our children after us to carry on the work."

And when will I have a place to bring a wife? A time to sire chilren? he thought to himself. Can we succeed where so many before us have failed in the midst of this wilderness?


Anton puts his blade back as the others chatter. They do not understand, not even Arkady.

Anton walks up to help Arkady defy destruction by clearing the bramble.

"It doesn't matter, Arkady, in thousand years or generations, it will all be dust. But that is not reason not to give your all, standing for what you believe, giving your life blood to it, is everything, even if defeated, you win."

In the end, nothing really matters at all, not even that. Anton's lips once again lifts in a quirky, semi-smile.

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