Kleora looked to Frjya and considered before replying, "My power isn't from the arcane or the divine." She smiled mischeviously and continued, "and I prefer to talk my out of trouble if I can. I also have strong ties to the fey so if we can avoid outright combat I might be able totalk our way past them or into helping us."
"My brother helped train me in combat, and some of his people taught me tracking and hunting," Freyr says. That was all the answer they needed for the moment. He turns his head toward the odd caster who claimed neither divine nor arcane power. "The fey are rarely the type to give power without some benefit to them," Freyr says flatly. "I hope you know what you're doing."
Once they arrive at the ambush site, Freyr draws his blade, just in case there are still enemies lingering, and steps forward to search for tracks or signs of passage.
Well, as for me... - says Aramant, clearly shy - My mother was part of the Pathfinder Society, and I ended up joining her as a trainee. Mining is probably what I do best. I love animals, especially the mighty sabertooth... unfortunately for me, however, I never had the magical talent of some druids and their appeal to the forces of nature. My calling is still there, so sometimes the spirit of the felines lend me their strength.
The shifter moves around with his weapons drawn, but tries to help inspect around - more specifically, the carriages - to the best of his skills.
"Interesting." Frjya said as she looked from person to person while they spoke.
Frjya covered her mouth for a moment from a bit of shock. She hadn't really ever seen a scene such as this before and it showed upon her face. Though she remained close to her brother as they moved around looking around, however she kept turning her head away from most things.
Maja notes that Fryja dodged the question that her brother answered, but rolls with it. I'll have to keep an eye on that one, she thinks.
"I can claim neither fey-gifted magic or brother-taught skill with the blade," the halfling admits. But I do know things. I've studied law in Oppara. I speak seven languages. I can stay out of sight when I need to. I'm told that I can be quite persuasive when I need to be. I even have some practice with lockpicks. Not that I'd ever need to use them, of course." She offers them a grin.
With a mysterious little smile Kleora said, "Oh, I don't think my magic comes from the fey, it's from my father I think, only that I know the fey and am how to present myself in a way they understand."
Kleora looked at the bodies lying around and noted the tiny, needle-like, slivers of ice in them. It was intriguing to look at and she wondered what they might might mean.
The far carriage is overutned and looks to have been looted by the bandits. A dead body of a noble woman lies in the carriage, unmoving.
The carriage that is closest to you (A2) is decorated and looks like the more expensive of the two complete with Taldan heraldry. This carrage is damaged form many arrows fired in the battle that took place here. The doors are wedge shut with the shaft of a spear lodge between the handles, inside are additional bodies. If there are valuables to be found you would guess that this carriage is the place to look as the other is far more damaged. Freyr and Aramant both here the the muffled sounds of movement form within the bared doors.
Kleora, seeing the shards of ice, immediatly thinks of the winter-touched fey that the guard spoke of. This sounds very much like they were involved in this attack in some way.
What are you doing?
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________
"Does it sound like someone is trapped in that carriage?" Taya asks the others.
Kleora rose from her observations and turned to the others as she said, "It looks like some of the winter touched fey may have been involved in this attack. These shards of ice might be tiny arrows or left over from some spell or another. We should be very cautious."
"We already knew they where. The guard said so when we questioned him." Frjya reminded Kleora as she knelt down and picked up one of the small shards of ice to see if it looked anything like an arrow.
Rolling her eyes Kleora said, "Yes, I remember that, but this just adds to the story, confirming their presence." She looked down thoughtfully at the corpses with their tiny ice slivers and began to wonder what could have convinced these winter fey to work with the bandits, and this far south too.
An idea forming Kleora began to look around and tried to find one of the bandits who attacked the caravan and examine that body for the tiny shards of ice as well. She hoped that she could find evidence the winter fey weren't working with the bandits but were attacking both as the chance would let them. If they were maybe they could be reasoned with and a bargain struck.
The arrows appear to be diminutive slivers of ice with ice heads and flights. Inside the very small shafts it appears there is a small piece of wood that helped hold them together. They quickly melt away or fracture if touched.
With more time the rest of the group can hear the muffled sounds from the still intact carriage. Something(s) or someone(s) is(are) moving around in there by the sound of it.
Checking the carriages Aramant finds little of value outside the intact one (A2) or in the smashed one (A1). There is some clothing that might have some value as the body is most surely the of the missing noblemen.
Looking around Kleora is the first to notice one additional leftover from the attack.
The body in the damaged wagon appears to be still. Having had more time to take things in you also see what at first seems to be a gruesome ice statue. This ‘statue’ appears to be the captain tasked with escorting Lady Argentea and is in a gruesome state. The slain body is mostly encased in ice however the body is no longer in tact. Pieces have been carved away that now lie in blocks of slowly melting ice at the fee of the statue. It doe appear he armor, heraldry are intact on the body. One larger chunk of ice holds the captains arm and a masterwork longsword.
An obvious trail leads to the south and it is apparent that the bandits along with a horse headed in that direction. The snow was simply too heavy for them to hide their trail well.
The sounds of movement still come from the first carriage.
What are you doing?
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________
Confirmation is nice," Freyr mutters, not taking his eyes off the carriage. "And I hear it too. Careful. We don't know who's in there." He raises his sword and braces himself, but makes no move to open the door himself. "Sister, please step back. It might be a trap."
Alerted by the movement in the carriage, Maja glances at her companions before announcing herself loudly. "Hello in there! Do you need our help?"
The noise of Maja's call causes a bit more noise but no verbal response.
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________
Frjya slowly backed away as her brother had asked of her mentally. "Who leaves people behind when you've killed all others?" She asked curiously.
Taya focuses for a moment and activates her [i]Spell Dance[i/] power to boost her speed and acrobatics.
She seems to blur as she moves across the ground, hopping first to the top of the carriage's wheel
and then to the carriage's roof:
She crouches and listens to what's happening within:
Even distracted by her own brilliant acrobatics Tayanalla, and everyone else can hear the same thunking noise and the barred doors rattle against the bar.
Finally with a shudder the bar holding the door slides free, dropping to the snow, and three creatures dressed as guards stumble out. Sadly for the guards and for you them they are already dead and have been reanimated. Who is a mystery as is if they are still under their creators control but it is a mystery for another time. The pressing matter is insuring that they do not kill any of you.
Bold may act
[u] round 1 [/u]
Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________Red:
Blue:
Yellow:
"The walking dead!"
Taya draws her rapier, leans down, and stabs red zombie in the noggin.
(fight defensively, high ground)
Current AC: 19
Kleora was surprised by the body in the wagon, it was obviously the captain's and it seemed that he had been frozen and...partially eaten? She wasn't really sure and before she could say anything it happened. The door to the carriage splintered open and the undead came out and she knew she was in trouble. Things like this, the mindless creatures, were immune to most of what she could do. Fortunately that's why she carried a crossbow. Backing away from the fighting she drew the crossbow and prepared to fire as soon as she could.
Tayanalla stabs at the closest zombie with her rapier but the point cannot pierce the necrotic flesh and simply slides to the side. Wanting some space Kelora moves to get clear while readying her crossbow.
The zombies shuffle out towards various party members but all of them fail to connect with there simple slam attacks.
Bold may act
[u] round 1 [/u]
Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________Red:
Blue:
Yellow:
Aramant feels the attack by the zombie, and is caught almost by surprise. Yet, he grinds his teeth as his appearance seems to become slightly more beast-like - he almost seems to have fur. He proceeds then to attack with his two claws, but both attacks come out with too much rage and no precision.
Freyr growls. "Necromancy... fantastic." He raises his blade and delivers a strike against the zombie directly in front of him. The blade swings down with incredible force, cleaving through dead flesh.
As the zombie's rotten hand swings past her head, the sword training from her class a university comes flooding back to Maja. Having little time to think about how close she came to serious injury, the halfling ducks away from the approaching zombie and draws her blade free from its cane-scabbard.
The weapon was light and inconspicuous, perfect for the investigator, but she knew its lack of heft would be of little help against something that was already dead. Instead, she opts to take a defensive approach, keeping light on her feet and knocking away the clumsiest of blows.
"Mr. Freyr, would you mind bringing that sword over here?" she shouts, hoping for some help.
Caught by surprise Aramant lets his inner animal out but cannot connect with his attacks. Having no souch problem Freyr connects in a devastating way with the freshly made zombie. A mixture of necotic and oddly preserved flesh and bile hits the snow as the creature falls dead.
Maja [b] opts for a more defensive approach and calls for help from Freyr.
Bold may act
round 1
Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, [b] Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status: AC21
________________________________Blue:
Yellow:
Taya hops over the zombies outstretched arms and jabs down again to keep it busy.
(fight defensively, high ground)
Frjya, seeing her brother take down a zombie with ease, got a small boost of confidence and moved further into the area. She stood just behind Maja and offered a pair of eye to help guard her against the creature.
Again the rapier fails to find its mark. Frjya slips around behind Maja and offers advice on avoiding the creatures attack.
Bold may act
[u] round 1/2[/u]
Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status: AC23
________________________________Red:
Blue:
Yellow:
Kleora quickly loaded her crossbow and then aimed at the undead attacking her companions. With a deft pull of the trigger a bolt leapt out at the undead thing. Unfortunately in trying to avoid her allies in close to it her bolt fell short and plowed into the ground instead. With a curse of annoyance she shifted her crossbow down, stepped on the brace, and got ready to crank it and reload it for another shot.
The zombies that are still stand continue their mindless assult on the intruders. Again neither of the zombies cannot connect with their clumsy blows.
[u] round 2/3 [/u]
Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________Blue:
Yellow:
Seeing her halfling companion in danger from the undead, Taya moves to flank the blue zombie, flipping and rolling to avoid an attack of opportunity.
Aramant attacks the undead again using his claws.
His claws are still coming out without much direction, but he feels he's improving. He finishes his action by giving another sidestep towards the group.
At Maja's call for support, Freyr moves in shortly behind his sister, his blade coming up to deliver another slash to the undead monster.
Moving about the battlefield like a cat Tayanalla avoids the clutches of the undead and takes a flanking position. Both Aramant and Freyr manage to substantially the two zombies. They cannot however put them back to rest.
[u]round 2/3 [/u]
Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 12/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________Blue: HP 2/12 AC: 12/10/12
Yellow: HP 4/12 AC: 12/10/12
Seeing that Freyr and Tayanalla joined the fray, Maja shifts closer to the ranger. Her blade would be of little use against the zombie, but Freyr's? Being basically immune to pain was of little use if you were chopped into tiny pieces.
Maja leaves her defensive stance and lunges with her blade, not to strike, but to distract the undead and give her companion an opening.
Kleora quickly cranked back the string and knocked another bolt into her crossbow before she raised it and aimed at the same creature as before. Once again she pulled the trigger and sent a bolt leaping from the end of the crossbow. This time she had a much better shot and the bolt leapt out at the undead and seemed like it was going to hit this time.
Frjya held her position, still giving aid to Maja as she had before while the others came to finish the creature off.
Kleora [b/b] ends the life of the blue zombie with a well places crossbow bolt as the others aid their teammates.
The remaining zombie does not have the mental wear with all to know his cause is lost. It again swings out with a nercotic fist and this times connects.... hard. The blow causes major damage to Aramant.
[u] Round 2/3 [/u]
[b] Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 2/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________Yellow: HP 4/12 AC: 12/10/12
Seeing Aramant take a viscous hit, Taya hurries over to engage the last zombie.
(fight defensively)
The shifter is quite hurt, but insists on his attacks with the claws - hoping they'd connect. Like Taya, he adopts a more defensive stance.
Both attacks miss horribly, and the young man looks clearly concerned!
Kleora rapidly cranked back the winch on her crossbow again as she began reloading and stuck another quarrel in when she was finished. Her weapon ready to go she moved so as to get a better view of the remaining zombie.
Seeing one of their allies was in a bit of trouble, Fryja swiftly left Maja and headed for Aramant. Though she had been further away than she expected and could only stop to catch her breath.
Freyr hurries to keep up with the rest of the group to engage the last undead. However, the others already gathered around the monster make it difficult to get close enough to strike. He's forced to work his way around the group a bit.
The groups relocates and attacks the final zombie but none of them can connect.
Bold may act
[u] Round 2/3 [/u]
Tayanalla, Kleora
Red, Yellow, Blue
Maja, Fryga, Aramant, Freyr
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 2/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________Yellow: HP 4/12 AC: 12/10/12
With the zombie slain, Maja gives herself a once over to check for any injuries before unstrapping the crossbow from her back. The chances of her wounding the other zombie were low, but she finally had an opportunity to help.
Loading a bolt, she takes aim and fires, trying her hardest not to hit any of her companions in the swirling melee.
With a well placed crossbow bolt Maja finally brings down the last of the zombies. While the creatures were a bit of a suprise the majority of the party was unscathed, excepting Aramant.
Searching the carriage that had contained the zombies you find a small jewelry box under the seat. Inside is a signet ring, a pair of earrings, a set of pearl-inlaid bracelets, a neckless and one sapphire pendant.
A3 and A4
This ‘statue’ appears to be the captain tasked with escorting Lady Argentea and is in a gruesome state. The slain body is mostly encased in ice however the body is no longer in tact. Pieces have been carved away that now lie in blocks of slowly melting ice at the fee of the statue. It doe appear he armor, heraldry are intact on the body. One larger chunk of ice holds the captains arm and a masterwork longsword.
An obvious trail leads to the south and it is apparent that the bandits along with a horse headed in that direction. The snow was simply too heavy for them to hide their trail well.
What are you doing now?
[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 13/13 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Aramant HP: 2/12 - AC: 19/16/14 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/8 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 7/7 - AC: 12/10/12 Status:
Fryga HP: 7/7 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:
Maja HP: 9/9 - AC: 17/13/15 Status:
________________________________
"That looks like a nice longsword the captain had. It's probably a bit heavy for me, can anyone else use it?"
Freyr just shrugs. "I'm comfortable with what I've got, but I can hang on to it if we need someone to carry equipment." He glances at the wide trail of boot prints headed into the trees. "Once we're ready to go, at least they'll be easy to follow. A child could probably follow a trail this heavy."
With the fighting over Kleora went to retrieve the bolt that missed in hopes it was still intact. Fortunately for her it was still use able so she put it in her case with the unfired bolt, unlimbered her crossbow, and slung it to her back once more. "That soldier sculpture has a nice longsword if anyone wants it. Never managed to tell you it was there because of the attack." Seeing they had already found it she shook her head at Tayanalla and said, "No, I have no ability to use such things, still it's worth taking as someone might be interested in it down the line and it looks like it might be valuable."