PbP Game Day IV: Sfounder's Shades of Ice Trilogy (CORE) (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

How many days is it to Trollheim? I don't want to burn through half a dozen charges of the wand, since my cold-weather outfit and furs boost my Fort save to +11 on this.

It's 1 day, so 1 charge.

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Having already purchased furs, Auri prefers to try and rely on non magical means to combat the cold.
Fort: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 5 = 23

Her nose almost blue, she seems to be holding out pretty well.

"..though if it gets much colder I may well take you up on the offer. Now this is a place that could benefit from a bit more trade. "

She looks at the city from afar. "I'm a merchant, guess I could say I am looking for far northern treasures to purchase and bring to the softer lands of the south."

Cold Weather Gear Fort DC : 1d20 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 5 = 16

Hun, fonder of MUCH warmer climates, barely survives the journy remarking, "How does this race continue? I mean how can they procreate in this Godforsaken fridgged wasteland!?!"

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"Not everyone shrinks from the cold, Hun."

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"Not everyone shrinks from the cold, Hun."

-Posted with Wayfinder

In a half-whisper, the rogue replies,

"Easy for you to say, half-pint..."

"Indoors." answers Auri dryly.

A shiver runs down her spine.

"Thinking about it, surely there isn't much to do up here except be indoors..It is a miracle they have not overrun the south with their numbers."

Having once lived in Alaska, I can vouch for Auri's conclusions as being quite accurate. ... From what I hear, anyway ...

Thiera helps out August with his wand, and uses her own spell as a response to the elements.

Still need to do the level-up work, but Thiera is 4 now.

With plenty of banter to keep the cold at bay, you finally make it to the border of the city. You find yourselves outside the city walls, intent on finding a way *inside* without getting
caught or killed by the Iron Guard. You are well aware of the fact that Pathfinders are unwelcomed in Whitethrone.

The question is, how are you going to get in. The walls are high, but the city is big enough that you might be able to sneak in. You could also lie your way in, or disguise yourselves as locals. How you get in is totally up to you.

What's the plan?

"Well, I suppose we could just sneak in, but if we get caught, it could get ugly quick. Perhaps we could try to pass as bounty hunters or merchants and see how smart, or paranoid, these guards are? They may only turn us away if they don't like our story..."

"Honestly is best, and where full frankness may not be wise, still one does not have to deviate from the truth. I am a merchant, and even have a licence to act as such in Trollheim. Why do we not go through the main gates. I will talk with the guards and let them know I want to peruse their city for goods to trade in the softer southern lands. Exotic Irrisen Silk from the fabled snow-silk worms for example. "

"That might work. Perhaps I could be your translator or scribe?"

This is one of those times when strategy paralysis can come in. At a table it's bad, during PbP it can be killer. The cohesion in this party is on par with a home game. If it's okay with you guys, someone can take the lead - trusting that they will embrace the party's strengths and character concepts. Once posted, I'll play my part.

FYI, Piper will choose not to take a hit from the wand, deciding instead to experience the full wrath of winter. From underneath her cold-weather outfit and furs, of course.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 5 + 2 = 15

Go for it, Auri.
Diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

"OK, we'll plat it straight."

August follows Auri's lead, chiming in when he thinks he can help.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Auri approaches the guards, a respectful look upon her face.

"Fabled Whitethrone! I've been looking forward to getting within these walls since I left the south! I am Auri, a merchant from Trollheim."

Here she takes out her merchants papers to display to the guards.

"I have travelled up here, and am hoping to purchase some of the rare goods of the northlands to take back south. Exotic Winter Worm Silk Scarves! I'll make a fortune!"

I'm assuming there are such thinks as winterworm silk scarves!

"Good sirs, will you allow my meagre caravan and myself entrance to your fine city?"

Not going to risk stuffing this one up, taking ten for a diplomacy of 20, any aids much appreciated. It looks like there are at least two for 24. BTW, Auri is hoping to buy stuff in the city, she wants to upgrade her greatsword to a magical one, though I guess she could have done that in Trollheim

"Where might I find such a merchant? I have also heard great things about the weaponsmiths of Irrisen, I would very much like to see their wares."

Fortitude vs cold: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Sorry I'm late. 20-foot movement speed.

Hun is a gifted mathematician, so he can play the part of bookkeeper/ logistician for the troupe charadeesque play.

-Posted with Wayfinder

August also has the same merchant credentials, in case it helps.

Auri's case is a solid one. The guards are satisfied that you're not rabble-rousers. "You'll need to report to the Iron Barracks and log in your arrival. Don't forget, as we'll know..."

And with that, you find yourselves inside the walls of Whitethrone. The people here are mostly human, but all manner of beasts from goblins to trolls wander the streets.

Where to Pathfinders?

"I suppose we'd better log in as instructed. We're courting enough trouble as it is."

"You did get directions, right, Auri?" Thiera asks, as she follows the group to the Iron Barracks for registration.

"Nice call, Auri."

It doesn't take long to pen your names down once you find the building. There are plenty of others who eye you suspiciously, but no one calls you out.

You're in a city full of enemies, where to?

"To the merchant's quarter... Loose manner of tounges all around, and it fits in to our ruse. And we should begin the brokering of a deal, either with a silk merchant, or a scarf maker. Is that right Auri?!"

Thiera considers for a moment before writing a pseudonym. Something similar to her actual name, but not enough to track her down. She's spent years in Irrisen, and doesn't need another record chasing her. 'Thieralamina Irrisathean' sounds nice. She writes the name in a flowing elvish script.

Thiera takes some time to find where the best merchants are, if there are rumors of anyone matching Skagni's description, and if anyone has heard of the Pathfinders (as Thiera has a score to settle).
Any bonuses still in play for speaking Skald?
Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Standing in front of the visitor's log, sweating sling stones, Bullwhip attempts to concoct a clever pseudonym.

"Why are dees quills so wee?. Les see. Um, 'Phoenix Dark… Dirk… Phoenix… Dark Dirk.'"

No bonuses this time.

Thiera doesn't get much in the way of responses, and nothing about any Pathfinders. She does however have solid directions to Auntie Marny’s
Bitter Brew.

A large, dilapidated building sits crammed between equally dilapidated warehouses and flophouses. Its doors are chained shut, its windows are filled with broken glass and boarded from the inside, and its facade is faded, crumbling, and encrusted with icicles. Faded, hard-to-read letters are painted 10 feet tall across the top of the ruined structure—they read: Auntie Marny’s Bitter Brew.

Auri fills in her name and credentials, and makes inquiries about location of various merchants.

"I think the weapon merchants first..."

Auri wants to get her greatsword upgraded, and this looks to be a neat way to do it in character rather than off scene! It also lets me tick off a "spend a large amount of money in a city" faction card goal!

While working through the city she makes inquiries about where other southerners may have been seen, trying to get a fix on where the sage is.

diplomacy - GI: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Nice Mystery Men reference. Love that movie.

The party stops by a smith on the way...

"She appears to be... closed."

"Advertising is not her strong suit, I see. Maybe it's meant to be ironic?"

Thiera ushers the others inside. "If nothing else, you'll get a great taste of Northern culture."

"Advertising is not her strong suit, I see. Maybe it's meant to be ironic?"

Thiera ushers the others inside. "If nothing else, you'll get a great taste of Northern culture."

Are you breaking down the doors, or the windows?

"Honestly, with some of these northern places, it's hard to tell whether they're actually open or not."

"The windows may be boarded, but we haven't tried the door, yet."

Nice Mystery Men reference. Love that movie.

I actually have another character that is based on Janeane Garofalo's character - Dad's head in a pouch that she keeps hearing talk to her while she tries to get his vengeance for him.

"Let us try a door first maybe?" says Auri, checking out the doors at the front and back.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Place seems deserted...

We've tried opening the door several times. Did it work, or do you mean we've checked inside and it still looks deserted?

My bad. Must have missed it. Sorry guys. Long day.

The door to the east is open and when you look inside it continues to look deserted.... for a few seconds. A growling sound can be heard somewhere in the back corner of the room. Sounds like a dog.

"A guard dog maybe? Let us be careful..." She grips her newly improved greatsword and slips into the room.

Dupine chuckles, recalling his past experiences with guard dogs. "Hun, you're good with dogs, right? You want this one?"

"Sissies," Thiera mutters as she steps inside, rapier drawn. Although August's comment was rather witty if taken in the proper light.

"Ahoy таму! Прикажи себе!" Thiera calls to the back of the room.
Giant. Just showing off a new language.

They don't seem to react to the giantish, so much as the noise, but a trio of rabid looking dogs burst forth into the room.

Baddies: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Thiera: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Auriferous: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Dupine: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Piper: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Hunwald: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Bullwhip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative Repost:

Piper: Go
Auri: Go
Hun: Go
Baddies: TBD
Dupine: TBD
Thiera: TBD
Bullwhip TBD

Piper waits behind the door. "Let them gang up on you, and I can probably take them out with a spell."

Delay

Auri: Go
Hun: Go
Piper: Delay
Baddies: TBD
Dupine: TBD
Thiera: TBD
Bullwhip TBD

"Roight!"

Auri steps forward 5' step to make an obvious target and readies an action to cut the first dog in range in two.

readied attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14

Hun is up, but likely won't be posting until after work when I'm neck deep in my home game. I'm going to have him delay, but Hun, you can totally retcon your turn. Given the plan put out thus far, I think it's a safe choice.

The dogs all charge Auri, but the paladin-sorceress cuts the first one down with a single swing of her blade.

Piper, I'm assuming will jump in before. If it's Color Spray, then the following rolls are contingent upon their saves.

Blue: Charge Bite 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20 DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Blue: Trip: CMB: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 FAIL
Green: Charge Bite 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19 DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Blue: Trip: CMB: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17 TRIP

The dogs bear down on Auri, and at the last second Hun and Piper...

Auri: Kill
Baddies: ATK
Hun: Delay
Piper: Delay
Dupine: TBD
Thiera: TBD
Bullwhip TBD