Cara moves through the winter landscape to find a clear shot at the ice elemental. Once satisfied with her position, she lets loose an arrow.
Still unsettled by the explosive trap, her aim is not the best.
"Ha! Whatever these creatures were that set the trap, we'll make quick work of them!" Having dispatched the first one, Kronek moves toward the second one hoping to finish it before it can take advantage of his dazed companions.
Cara moves past Asgrid and readies her bow, lining up a shot that unfortunately goes wide and skids off of the icy creature's crystalline skin with a faint scrape. Geedra comes to her senses, the shock of the blast wearing off. She skitters away from the threatening ice beast and gestures towards it, imposing her ill will upon the foe. A dark pall seems to corrupt the air around the creature, but its unfamiliar anatomy makes it difficult to ascertain whether or not the effect took place. The remaining ice elemental shifts its attention from Geedra to Kronek, seemingly unhappy with the sudden and violent expulsion of its ally. The elemental steps up to Kronek and throws a frozen fist at the bloodrager. In a sudden moment of precision that directly opposes the elementals' wild inaccuracy seconds before, the ice beast lands a solid blow on Kronek, catching him at a vital point with a sharp blow.
Initiative:
Cara: 21
Geedra: 19
Ice Elementals: 12
Kronek: 6
Asgrid: 4
Elemental Will:
Elemental Attack:
Confirm:
Damage: plus
"Soplevechie mraz srerovie! Toa mojot prijatel!" Asgrid looks surprised herself at the words coming out of her mouth, as her mind becomes muddled and starts spitting out Aklo. The dwarf oracle charges forward, interposing herself between Geedra and the remaining ice elemental. Wielding her heavy pick, she swings at the elemental, trying to smash its frozen kneecaps.
"Back off ice beast! That's my friend!"
Kronek spits blood as the elemental connects with an icy fist to his mouth.
Geedra pulls her vial of alchemist's fire, moves 5' to get a better line of sight and throws it at the icy creature in front of she and Asgrid.
Ranged touch attack
Damage
Blood trickling from his split lip, Kronek shakes his head and steps up to the elemental that just pummeled him. He swings Yuln's sword violently, trying to put an end to the second one, but still off balance from its strike, his blade slices only air when the elemental steps aside, surprisingly nimble for a creature of ice.
The remaining ice elemental proves to be a more capable fighter - that, or luck is simply on its side. Attacks by both Kronek and Asgrid miss their mark, weapons whizzing by the crystalline creature. Geedra, however, takes a different approach and readies a flask of volatile alchemist's fire. Hurling the container, her aim proves true and the flask breaks open on the elemental, depositing its hot, fiery payload. The elemental shrieks, or at least you think it does, though it is a sound more akin to ice shearing and splintering.
Initiative:
Cara: 21
Geedra: 19
Ice Elementals: 12
Kronek: 6
Asgrid: 4
Although she briefly considers tossing an alchemist fire at the creature as well, Cara recalls that there would be an unfortunate possibility of hitting her companions and opts instead to shoot another arrow at the aggressive ice cube.
Lining up another shot, Cara snaps an arrow off at the remaining ice elemental, still reeling from its unwanted encounter with the alchemy grenade. Bits of the creature have already melted or snapped off from that assault, and the elf's arrow drives home through existing damage, punching deep into the elemental's core. It turns to regard its assailant, but then locks all motion for a mere second before its entire form shatters into shards on the ground.
"Nice shot Cara! Great idea using that fire to damage it Geedra. I think they're all gone, but that river could be trouble. Do you think we should make our way across one at a time?"
"Geedra not like dumb boom boom snowman. Burnt Geedra...like Poog did" the goblin grumbles. "Yes, one at time good plan. Big human and Asgrid might break ice and drown Geedra. Cara go first maybe," Geedra asks, tired of getting blown up.
"Hey, I'll have you know I'm pretty fit for a dwarven maiden," Asgrid says as she pats at her bulk. "Still, you guys have a good point. Cara, might be a good idea if you went first, we'll cover you and then you'll be in a good place if we're attacked while crossing. Well done with the fire, Geedra."
"No be mad, Asgrid. Dwarves just bigger. Good for stay warm...bad for fall in ice," Geedra again smiles her toothy smile, difficult to tell exactly what she meant exactly.
"Sounds like a plan then. Cara, then Asgrid, then Geedra and I'll watch the back. Let's go."
Cara nods in agreement, "Very well, let's try to be a little more cautious with these tricky little foes." With that she slowly and carefully makes her way across the ice, bow at the ready and attention focused.
Cautiously, Cara strides across the slick surface of the frozen stream with all the grace an elf is known for. Bow at the ready, her eyes dart around for the presence of more fey. The ice over the creek seems to be solid and stable enough for quite a few feet, but just when all seems to be going fine, the lightest pressure from a step shatters the ice beneath, dropping a roughly circular portion five feet in diameter out from under the ranger. As the shards of broken ice drop into the arctic waters below, Cara's cautious approach pays off, for she is able to shift all of her weight onto her back leg and half step, half slide away from the edge of the hole. Looking at the damage around the perimeter of the hole, it looks as though the thickness of the ice greatly thins as it approaches the spot that fell, as if something had deliberately carved or shaved away layers from beneath.
Reflex:
"This crazy. Snow, ice, boom boom snowmen, what happening to this place? Can group still follow tracks of the merchant? Geedra want gold, but not want fall in water."
Features frozen in concentration, Cara carefully steps back to the thicker part of the ice. "The thin ice appears be intentional, perhaps it's thicker further down the stream? Did anyone think to bring rope?"
"I have some rope, and a grappling hook. Kronek, think you'd be able to throw the hook across to the other side and catch it on something? I really don't want to fall in the river today."
"Sure, let me see if I can get it across and hook it to a tree." Kronek takes the rope and grappling hook from Asgrid. Coiling the rope loosely in one hand, he slowly swings the hook in the other and then let's it fly across the frozen stream.
You attach the hook to the rope and stand on the edge of the stream, its frozen surface glistening before you. It is about thirty feet to the other side, but there are some spots thick with trees quite close to the opposite bank. With a mighty heave, Kronek launches the grappling hook across, feeding the rope as it flies. The hook disappears into an evergeen's foliage, but a few tugs later and the hook holds, secure in the branches.
"Ok, looks like I've got it. Here, let me see about securing it to something on this side and then we can use the rope for support as we cross. Anyone know a know that can be easily loosed from the other side so we can get the rope back?" Kronek looks for a tree to secure the loose end of the rope to.
Geedra looks blankly back at the warrior. "Geedra not know. Geedra can stay behind after rest cross over. Geedra little, so untie knot, then big human pull Geedra over with rope. Need rope," she nods.
"I agree we need the rope. That's a good plan Geedra. Let's do that. Cara, then Asgrid, then me, then Geedra can untie it and cross. Sound like a plan?"
"I'm willing to give it a try, I guess." The elf replies with mild skepticism.
Cara ties the other end of the rope to a tree and tries to cross the ice again, this time with the rope's assistance.
Cara moves across the ice again, putting as much of her weight onto the rope as she can. For her elven frame, the trick seems to work, and she gets to the other side without incident - not so much as a crack sounds or appears beneath her feet.
"It was perfectly safe for me." Cara calls out to her companions, while keeping an eye out for danger on her side of the stream. If no trouble appears, she'll take time to make sure the rope is secure on her side.
Kronek will wait till nearly the end, but will cross after Asgrid.
Following Cara's lead, the rest of the group uses the rope to assist in the crossing of the icy creek. The only trouble that presents itself is a sudden crack appearing under Kronek's foot about halfway across the stream - his frame is certainly much heavier than Cara's. Fortunately, the rope does its job and the ice keeps its form and does not break away. After Kronek and Asgrid have crossed, Geedra unties the rope from the tree and crosses as well, perhaps more easily than anyone, skipping and skidding along the slick surface as if it were solid earth.
You continue to follow the trail left by the bandits, picking up the path as it once again melts into the trees. With Kronek and Cara leading the way, you are able to keep on the footprints and other signs of passing with ease. About a half an hour after you cross the stream, you come across a notable scene. Ahead, alongside the path, is a body laying face down in the snow. It is a medium sized humanoid, you can spot, but the pile of heavy grey clothes amassed around the fallen form make it difficult to discern anything else.
Cara holds her hand up to stop the others from proceeding as she looks around the area, "Most likely another trap. That seems the only thing predictable about our foes." If it appears safe, she moves within 15', but keeps her bow notched with an arrow.
"Cara go check. Geedra tired of going boom to dumb trap."
"What do you think Cara? Is it definitely dead? And a bandit or something else?" Kronek gets his sword ready and moves to the side to get a clear view of the corpse and be ready to rush forward in case it is more than it appears to be.
Creeping close to the body and looking out for possible traps, Cara cautiously investigates. Upon drawing nearer, she can see that it is a male human wearing a heavy fur coat and thick boots. Though he is sprawled flat on his stomach, his head is turned so that you can spot his face, which is pale as bone with bluish lips. Dried blood is spattered on his face, and some of the snow beneath him has turned pink. A longbow pokes out of the snow next to him, and you can't help but think that this man looks familiar. No traps are spotted.
Once Cara signals the all clear, Kronek moves up to the man. "Looks somewhat familiar doesn't he? I can't place him though? What do you think killed him?"
Cara crouches down and examines the dead body, frowning deeply, "This must be old man Dansby. If I recall correctly from the village, he was insistent that something was stealing his crops and was determined to stop it himself. The poor, poor man."
The ranger then gently moves the body to make an attempt to judge the cause of death.
"Dans-by. Did Dans-by have gold? Magic? No use to let Dansaby's stuff go to waste," Geedra mutter as she casts Detect. Magic, checking for any valuable gear.
"Probably not, although he may have a nice bow there Geedra. Not going to be needing it any longer. Not too smart coming in here alone. We've nearly gotten killed with the four of us."
The man's wounds are bruises of deep blue, mostly around his thighs, waist, and stomach. A few of the bruises have lesions as well, and his body radiates cold. It certainly looks as though he was pummeled to near-death, but made it this far before the temperature finally did him in.
Nothing around gives off any magical auras, but you are able to locate a composite longbow with a slightly strong pull (+1 str bonus)along with 12 arrows, a dagger, and a well-crafted handaxe (masterwork quality). He also has a pouch holding 14 gp, 25 sp, and 18 cp.
"Cara use bow, Asgird use axe, big human take dagger, and Geedra hold old dusty pouch," Geedra offers with her toothy grin, as she examines the corpse. "What monster do this to da human? The ice monsters from before maybe?"
"By the looks of these wounds, he was a victim of those tiny fey with the icy arrows before the cold took him." Cara gives her best guess to the group after a brief examination of the body, "We'll need to make sure he gets a proper burial once we return to the village."
She then picks up the bow and looks it over, evaluating its strength, "Mmm, yes this is a better bow than the one I'm carrying. I could make good use of it."
"Although we should keep the money in a general fund of sort until we return in case we need to buy supplies for the whole group." She adds lightly, gauging Geedra's reaction.