Winter is Coming

Game Master Patrick Curtin

So off the trail and into the wood??

Yes, I believe so!

The wood is thick, but the underbrush and lower limbs have been cut back for firewood, so just the snow impedes the group. They head towards the back of the lodge. .

ok in the wood. Next action?

Do we have a map of the location? Anything going on in there that we cans see or hear, tracks in the snow back here perhaps?

Perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Gaelin looks around the wood as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Tristan trails slightly behind the others--he knows he's not the stealthiest of people--but keeps a sharp eye out for anything of note.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

As the party scans the lodge there is the sound of a door opening. There are shouts as several fur-clad men exit the lodge

Perception Dc 15

Perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Athromar hisses to his companions, "The alarm has been raised, Do we strike before they are ready or fade back and attack once they have let their guard down?"

"We don't have the numbers to siege a fort," Gaelin whispers. "I say we fall back."

"Charging three bandits nearly got us killed. A lodge on high alert? We will accomplish nothing if we are dead."

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
"I agree that we shouldn't rush in, but we may be able to ambush them if we stay nearby. They are not charging us or shooting so they are not sure about being able to drive us off." Sahsara advises, quietly.

DM, do they seem to have a red on where we are at the moment or are they pointing in the wrong direction entirely.

They seem to be taking up positions overlooking the trail in

Any way to get behind them and inside, perhaps from the other side of the building without them seeing us?

Anything is possible with stealth

So that is a no with this group :-) What do you think all? Do we try to head in and bar the doors locking them out and giving us at least a tactical advantage. Or I suppose we could try to hit and run since they are looking for where we acre coming from and not where we are now. Perhaps option 3 is pull back and simply move forward towards the source of this cold weather and not bother with these bandits?

Jeydavu looks back at the tracks they have left in the snow. "If they move up ahead on the trail, they will see where we left the trail and where we headed. I don't think hiding out will help us. Pulling back and moving on may be our best course. When we return to town, we can let the village guard round up this lot. I think they are just opportunistic bandits. Let's take a wide berth of this cabin."

Jeydavu is ready to move on and put some distance between themselves and these bandits.

Gaelin nods in agreement. "We will need more numbers to take on this stronghold, and we are here for another purpose. Rounding up brigands can be done later."

"Do we simply follow the trail past this stronghold then? That seemed to be where the source of the disturbance is yes? To be honest I am a bit turned around".

"Oh, these folk are not the one's you are after? Well I hope they don't follow us."

"I don't think they have the power to change the weather like this. Though they may well be the ones who raided the carriage of the Noblewoman. Still, it avails us nothing to end up dead".

DM can we head down the trail closer to the source of the cold? Is there a trail to follow or is it just into the woods?

The trail picks up on the other side of the lodge. There is thick forest about, you could circle, but there is a chance you will be seen. Plus, the drifts of snow are deep. I'll need a fortitude save if you are going to break a trail

Athromar will begib to break a trail as agreed upon by his comrades.

Cast Resistance

Fortitude Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"Do the rest of you think we could learn something by setting an ambush for the bandits as they set out?" Gaelin asks idly.

The bandits seem to be setting up an ambush for you folks

Athromar begins pushing through the high drifts as best he can, making a trail for the orhers

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

So stealth roll Athromar.. DC 20

Cast Guidance

Stealth 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Hmm

Athromar attempt to be quiet be break through the drifts as silently as he can, but a gust of wind lifts a plume of snow into the air. There is a cry from the bandits

"Something's out in the woods!"

I will pause and draw my crossbow and gets ready to fire...

It may be time to take the advantage while we have it!

"There goes that plan" Sahsara scans the forest as she pulls an arrow. A whirlwind starts swirling around her.
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
which kicks up to much snow for her to see much.

The bandits seem to be headed your way

"In the trees! Be careful!"

It will take them a bit to find your exact position

How many are there?

Tristan will attempt to close some of the distance to the bandits without being seen.

Stealth 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Gaelin takes cover behind a thick tree and readies his sling. Best not present a target for enemy archers. Gaelin would rather force them to close the distance where he can press his advantage in close quarters.

Sahsara will get behind cover as well
stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Athromar casts Magic Weapon on his heavy crossbow. I will begin firing at will.

Heavy Crossbow shot 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

There are four outside

Four shapes dressed in a motley of furs and layered rags run down the narrow paths shoveled out around the building. Athromar sights his crossbow and fires. The bolt catches one of the advancing forms, eliciting a cry of pain

Athromar will reload. Is it initiative or do we still have the advantage of cover?

I'll give you one more shot then roll initiative

Can Gaelin take a shot as well?

sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Athromar takes another shot at the bandits!

Heavy Crossbow 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Sahsara shoots an arrow as soon as the bandits appear aiming at the one that Athromar hit.
short bow attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
sneak attack if they are flat footed: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Jeydavu and his moose take cover until the bandits approach. initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

no problem taking your ranged folks, it's all good. Everyone take two ranged shots. Group initiative is 17 per Jeydavu's roll

Gaelin's first stone hits the wounded bandit in the temple and he drops. Sashara's arrow flies wide. Athromar's second shot flies wide as well. The other three pound forward, swords unsheathed

Gaelinand Sashara take another shot. I'll post up Tama and Ecaterina shortly

Initiatives (Winter is Coming)
Ecaterina: 23
Tama 21
Athromar: 21
Tristan: 19
Gaelin 19
Jeydavu: 19

Is Tristan located close enough to enter melee? If so...

Tristan hides behind a tree as the bandits approach, bursting out to strike at the approaching bandits; but the heavy snow slows his attack and he misses his opening.

Standard attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Unarmed damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Is Tristan located close enough to enter melee? If so...

Tristan hides behind a tree as the bandits approach, bursting out to strike at the approaching bandits; but the heavy snow slows his attack and he misses his opening.

Standard attack d20+2
Unarmed damage 1d6+2

You will be as soon as they enter the forest

Gaelin unleashes another stone at the oncoming bandits.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Sahsara attacks again the bandit she missed earlier.
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Tristan Vaughan wrote:

Is Tristan located close enough to enter melee? If so...

Tristan hides behind a tree as the bandits approach, bursting out to strike at the approaching bandits; but the heavy snow slows his attack and he misses his opening.

Standard attack d20+2
Unarmed damage 1d6+2

You will be as soon as they enter the forest

Alright, well that'll be my action once they do; just let me know when I'm up for another action.

Jeydavu readies an attack as soon a bandit approaches within his range.

Athromar grasps his own wrist granting himself a War Battle Rage Bonus (+1 to Melee Damage) for the next round as he draws his weapon to do close quarter combat with the bandits.