Kingmaker Solo Campaign

[Satin Knights]

"So, the exotic is what you desire. I will keep that in mind."

"If the backstabbing was so prevalent here, I will watch my back. Luckily, over there, I will not have a city full of innocents to weed through to see them coming. Well, not at first. As I grow the port, knowing all the people will be an advantage."

"Sumbra was easy. You grew up knowing everything was dangerous. It will be nice to get back to that. Here in the City of Glass, so much is unknown that it is hard to be patient and let trouble take the first move. Now if you know who the Boraga's have sent, that would help immensely."

"Why yes, I would like an introduction to the lady. Knowing my friends is just as important as knowing my enemies."

.........Kellermyre Stormforge

 

[Systole]

Lord Gabbiano nods and rings a small bell. His elven servant reappears after a moment. "Finia will show you to the library. Meanwhile, the three of us have to discuss a few last minute details -- financing, dispensations of crews and so forth. We'll see you again shortly."

The elf guides you to the library, which looks rather like a tornado hit it. Books lay open on just about every horizontal surface, and in some places are piled three deep on top of one another. Sitting cross-legged on a table is the what must be the tornado herself: a gnome female, slightly less than four feet tall with with reddish-blonde hair and dark eyes. She doesn't seem to notice your presence, instead flipping rapidly through one tome and then another. The elven servant suppresses a growl of irritation. "Miss de Leye," she announces through gritted teeth. "A Mister Kellermyre Stormforge is here to see you. He's to be the executor of the charter."

The gnome perks up, and suddenly she's next to you without seeming to travel through the space in between. "Oh, hmm? Aasimar? What kind? Leonal? Yes, leonal blood, I'd say. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Hullo, Finia. What a fascinating library Lord Gabbiano has! I know I've said that before, and I was just about to put the books away, really! So you're the executor, Mister Stormforge? I can't wait to go to West, can you? When do you think we're leaving? And you're a cleric of Tanager? How interesting! I met a cleric of Tanager once in Irthos. He drank a lot. Sometimes he'd climb on the tables and dance. I liked him. Oh, I forgot you're an aasimar!" She switches to the celestial tongue and bows deeply. "I greet you in the name of the heavens and the earth, Kellermyre Stormforge, born of man and blooded of the lightning and the tempest. I am called Shari de Leye, wielder of magics, shaper of words, and herald of the fey."

. Umberto Gabbiano . Shari de Leye

 

[Satin Knights]

"Well, Finia already gave you my name and purpose. Hello Shari de Leye, it is very nice to meet you. I am sure your presence will brighten up the journey we are going to partake in. They tell me we are leaving with the tide. I will be honored to travel with a herald of the fey, especially one who wields the mystic arts."

"How many of these wondrous books are Lord Gabbiano going to let you borrow? I would be most appreciative if we could bring some how-to books on the various artisan and guild professions. Even tactics of of war will have it's use, from what I hear."

Turning to Finia, "Would you be so kind as to have a few chests brought in so we can pack these. Four or five should do nicely. It's not like we are going to need to take the poetry section as well. Thank you."

Turning back to Shari, "Start stacking the ones we need. We have to prioritize them. Oh, grab some on the recent nobles of Venza too. We may be running across some of the younger ones that want to make a name for themselves."

Kellermyre rummages through, simply looking at titles and sorting which may be useful in construction, craft or tactics. The others, he returns to the shelves. Looking over his shoulder, "Finia, what are you waiting for? Hurry! Surely you do not think the tide will wait for you to dawdle."

 

[Systole]

The elf gives you a dark look before disappearing, and it's a while before she reappears in the company of a couple of footmen, and when she does, she gives you an even darker look. You suspect that she visited Lord Gabbiano first, and was not exactly happy that the nobleman instructed her to comply with your wishes.

In the meantime, Shari is more than happy to help you select a supply of books, although she obviously subscribes to a philosophy of 'more is better,' and most of your efforts have to be put toward getting her to limit her focus somewhat and not take the entire library. Shari rarely pauses for breath while you work.

“Oh, that 'herald of the fey' thing is a bit of nonsense, really. The celestial language is all about the pomp and circumstance, and you can't have a proper introduction without at least three or four sweeping titles. It's like Jira'shae, except in that case you can't have a proper declarative statement without three or four references to bodily functions or reproductive organs. Or so I've heard. I can't wait to find a native speaker! Crafting, crafting … let me see …

“Okay, so you want books about arms and armor and architecture and avocado cultivation and alchemy? Done! Moving on to the B's, we have beekeeping, bathysphere construction...”

View attachment 56902
Shari de Leye

[sblock=GM]Okay, limited amount of time and less than exhaustive library. You can take 16 points of bonuses (in bonuses of either +2 or +4) in any craft, knowledge, or profession skills you'd like. If you have cause to make skill checks later and have the time to reference your books, these bonuses will apply.

Example: You can take +4/+4/+4/+4 or +4/+4/+4/+2/+2, etc.[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

Kellermyre spends his time sorting and stacking the books in the chests to get maximum efficiency of space. He fills them past the brim and then checks the closing of each lid to see that it does clear and latch while leaving the least amount of empty space available inside. Two books in particular he saves for right on top, 'Sailing the Open Sea' and 'An Herbalist's Guide to Survival'. His intentions are to start reading these two during the voyage.

"Well, that works well. Now on to the most important book. Miss Finia, I would like to speak to Lord Gabbiano about one more book that is not here in this collection."

 

[Systole]

The elf frowns at the shelves which contain only about two thirds of the books that they did an hour before. She gestures to the porters who begin hauling the chests outside, grumbling at the weight of them. Then Finia leads you and Shari back not to the lord's study, but to the entrance hall where the three men are already getting ready to leave.

"Finished raiding my library? You did leave me a book or two, I hope," Gabbiano says, pulling on a cloak over his nobleman's clothes.

"Actually, we left you four hundred and eight," Shari says.

Gabbiano looks surprised. "There were six hundred tomes. You took a third of them?"

"Actually, there were only five hundred and seventy six, and we selected one hundred and sixty eight. So we took ... uh, carry the three ... seven twenty-fourths of them. Less than a third," the gnome assures him.

Gabbiano chuckles as the group heads out the door and into the street where two carriages await. "Well, I hope they serve you well. If we leave now, we'll just make the tide. We'll talk in my carriage."

"I'll go see about those shipments we discussed. Best I get to it before Boraga buys all the hammers and nails out from under us as well," Franco says, struggling to button his overcoat. "Cursed launderers! They keep shrinking my clothes. Or at the very least, they're not letting them out fast enough to keep pace with my diet." He turns to you. "Well, my boy, it was nice to meet you. Best of luck and all that; now go and make me rich. Or rather, make me richer. And if you get back to Venza, I'll take you around town. I'm sure I could show you a thing or two." He gives you a lascivious wink and climbs into the second carriage.

"Shall we?" Gabbiano says, as Shari bounds eagerly past him and into the first carriage.

View attachment 56902

. . Cardinal Fortino . . . Umberto Gabbiano . . . . Geralt Franco . . . Shari de Leye

[sblock=GM]Almost forgot: 50 exp story award for raiding Gabbiano's library.

So what specific skills were you looking for? Looks like Profession: Sailor +2 and Knowledge:Nature +2? Which would leave you another +12 worth of bonuses to distribute.[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

"I am sure we will return one day. I will take you up on that offer then."

While climbing into the carriage, "Lord Gabbiano, there is one more book that I am looking for. If you would be so kind as to summon the highest level wizard that owes you a favor or is in your employ? Have him, or her, bring their backup copy of their spellbook to the docks. We would like to take that book on the journey." Pausing to let the request sink in.

"Knowledge is power. Mystical knowledge is power directly manifested. I would trade a hundred sets of armor and weapons for one spellbook, for I know I can forge weapons with my own hands. I can swing a hammer and forge armor. As I grow in skill, Tanager will give me the spells he wants me to have, when he wants me to have them. But, it would take a century for a wizard alone to research and build up what I am asking for, and I don't think you want us taking that long. So, I am asking for... No, I am rather insisting on a full spellbook for Shari. It only needs to be a backup copy, for no wizard would give up their original set of books. Without it, you are sending her out as a cripple into a harsh land, blind in one eye and missing an arm."

He looks to Shari and fakes an obvious sympathetic pout at the hypothetical condition he described.

Turning back to Lord Gabbiano, "If we had more time, I would be pickier as to who's book we took, but soon we are going to lose the tide."

Kellermyre Stormforge
[sblock=GM]I will let you do the secret roll to see if he pulls this one off, Diplomacy +9, maybe +2 circumstance bonus for selfless act to benefit another. He's looking for the spell book of a 7th-9th level mage so that Shari will have a good assortment of spells when she gets to the appropriate levels. And he is only asking for the backup copy, which can be regenerated by any mage in a *city* in a week or so.

I hadn't picked all the skill bonuses yet. Needed some sleep. Kellermyre will be going with 8 different +2 bonuses. Lets see; Kn Nature, Kn Engineering, Profession Sailor, Profession Carpenter, Craft Weapons, Craft Armor, Craft Glassblower, Craft Alchemy. Of course, being a cleric, it will take forever to even spread out points for the first rank in these skills. Well, I planned to be dipping into ranger for a level anyways, that will give me a few points.
[/sblock]

 

[Systole]

"Ooh!" Shari squeaks. "That would be excellent!"

Fortino and Gabbiano look at each other. Gabbiano shakes his head slightly. "It's not possible in the time we have before the tide is out. It's something I can pursue later on, although it's going to be complicated by politics and House Boraga's deep pockets. I can't make promises, but I'll see what I can do."

The carriage pulls up to the docks, where a member of the Venzan Whitecloaks stands next to a scarred, silver-haired dwarf who wears an eyepatch and a set of manacles. The guardsman looks irritable, while the dwarf wears an insouciant smirk.

"Please tell me this is not what I think it is," Cardinal Fortino says, climbing out of the carriage and onto the wooden boards of the wharf.

Lord Gabbiano clears his throat somewhat sheepishly. "Master Stormforge, meet Uder Gormengeist. One of the few capable mercenaries who chose not to sign on with House Boraga."

"Oh, I was gonna," the dwarf says with a grin. He jerks a thumb at the guardsman, causing his chains to rattle. "Thing is, Officer Parsons here threw me in the lockup on all kinds of trumped-up charges and I went and missed me boat."

"That's Captain Parsons," the whitecloak says through gritted teeth. "And attempted murder and assault and battery with grievous bodily harm are hardly trumped-up charges."

Uder shrugs. "That healer fella got Shaggy's ear back on alright, so to my way of thinkin', that 'grievous bodily harm' bit shouldn't've counted. Neither should the attempted murder, 'cause we both know ye'd've been calling the mortician and not the doctor if I wanted his cheating arse dead. I'll cop to the assault and batt'ry if it makes ye feel better, but the barshtard had it coming to him, though, and I dare you to tell me diff'rent." He turns to you. "So here's me resume then: Have axe, will travel, will put axe in whoever you tell me to. Provided I'm paid on time and in full, o' course. And also assuming you're not the type to deal off the bottom of the deck, as I find that to be mildly objectionable-like."

View attachment 56902

. . Cardinal Fortino . . Umberto Gabbiano . . Uder Gormengeist . Shari de Leye

[sblock]Uder Gormengeist

N* male dwarf barbarian 1

STR 16 +3 INT 10 +0
DEX 14 +2 WIS 10 +0
CON 16 +3 CHA 10 +0

HP: 16
AC: 17 or 19 w/ shield (touch 12, FF 15 or 17) (+4 vs. giants, -2 when raging)
Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +0 (+2 vs. poison/spells)
CMB +4 (+6 overrun/bull rush); CMD 16
Init: +4
Perception: +4, Darkvision 30ft.

Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Dwarven waraxe 1h (+6/1d10+7/20x3) or Dwarven waraxe 2h (+6/1d10+10/20x3) [assumes rage]
Ranged: Throwing hammer (+3/1d4+3/20x2, 20ft.)
Special: Rage (7 rounds/day), Rock Stepper

Feats: Power Attack
Skills: Intimidate +4, Survival +4, Climb +0, Appraise +2
Class Features: Rage, fast movement.
Racial Features: Defensive Training, Hardy, Relentless, Greed, Rock Stepper, Ancient Enmity
Traits: Reactionary, Armor Expert
Languages: Common, Old Landellian, Dwarven
Gear: Scale mail, heavy steel shield, dwarven waraxe, throwing hammers, survival/camping equipment
Description: Uder hails from the outskirts of the Landadel Baronies, and has worked for years as a mercenary in a variety of small wars. His hair is silvery-white and one eye is covered by an eyepatch. Uder seems to have little respect for rules and makes no effort to appear trustworthy. He also doesn’t seem to like elves much.
Note: Uder’s alignment is very much open to question, but it’s safe to say that it does not include an L or a G.[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

Kellermyre looks over the dwarf carefully. "I would be fair and just, but I have no use for someone who's only loyalty is to coin. Those people can be bought anywhere at any time. And I wouldn't want to rob Captain Parsons of his intentions for you. Good luck in what ever hole he puts you back in to."

Kellermyre turns and looks at Lord Gabbiano, shaking his head in disappointment before walking past the dwarf and whitecloak towards the first ship.

Kellermyre Stormforge

 

[Systole]

The dwarf guffaws. "Good luck building a nation on nothing but principle!" he calls after you. "That and a sack of potatoes'll keep your belly full!"

"Looks like you're going to be missing another boat, Uder," Captain Parsons says.

The dwarf cranes his neck to over the edge of the dock. "Tide hasn't turned yet, officer."

You've got one foot on the gangplank when the Cardinal's voice rings out. "Initiate!" he says. His eyes blaze with Tanager's lightning and his voice rings with holy thunder. "You forget your duty before Tanager! That man is a lost soul, and you are were elected to bring the faith to a new land that is filled with lost souls. Are you going to be as dismissive of all of them as you are of him? When you accepted your calling, did you expect is was going to simple? To be without challenge? If Tanager truly called you, then he called you not because he knew the way was easy, but because he knew the way was difficult, and because he thought that among so many, you had the strength to walk it. Do you?"

"Ah, there it goes," Uder says.

. . Cardinal Fortino . . . Uder Gormengeist .

[sblock=GM]Not trying to railroad you into taking Uder here, although I realize it might feel like that. The thing is, Fortino is legitimately ticked off that you didn't even try to reach out to Uder. That was not the behavior he expects out of a missionary, and he's obviously thinking that your penance is going to start with Uder. He's going to force the issue unless you want to try a hefty DC Diplomacy check.[/sblock]