"Alasandro! I'm glad you're back. Climbing you say? Where is the portal?"

"The gate is on top of a mountain, from what I remember. Welcome back Alasandro."

"The Scourge Mountains to be precise. We're looking for the delightfully named Crone's Finger. That's where the fey portal to Winter's Heart is. Only accessible in times of deepest cold, which would be why I've never found it before. I'm sure it will be guarded - from the little I could discover about Koliada that you don't already know, she has a penchant for icy creatures."

Pacing happily around the room and fiddling constantly with the items he finds on Valthrun's tables, Alasandro sounds more as though he's planning a jolly picnic than the end of an earth-threatening evil.

"Ah, old friend -- and welcome again! Our dear Lam Thovir encountered a moral dilemma; he's gone to sort himself out. But I assure you is quite healthy.

"And we will be, given a good night's rest. I feel my bones are not up to scaling a mountain at this time."

"Sleep if you must. I'm sorry to hear about Lam, but he's always been cautious of his mortal soul - it goes with his trade. Do you still remember that ritual you once had that let us endure heat and cold?"

Extended rest, one AP, powers restored. Please note that Valthrun can provide any rituals that either Lav or Tavar might consider useful. Well, subject to DM discretion of course.

Oddly, Lavender has rituals on his sheet, though he is an Alchemist. Not sure what happened there (he also has formulae). I know the intent was Alchemist, I think I must have just taken the free rituals CB gave me. Oops.

Ahem. In other, but not unrelated news, you've levelled. Please upgrade yourselves.

Technically you levelled just before Remliel arrived, but it was hardly the most opportune moment, even if I'd remembered (which I didn't). Anyway. Level 23 and the attendant joys are yours.

For the record, you should all now have 283,404XP and are in fact half way to level 24.

Oddly, Lavender has rituals on his sheet, though he is an Alchemist. Not sure what happened there (he also has formulae). I know the intent was Alchemist, I think I must have just taken the free rituals CB gave me. Oops.

I took both ruital and alcemist so we should be ok for brewing some high level potions.

Let me know when you're all updated.
Tavar and Lav - if you want access to any rituals/recipes and whatnot, now is the time. Prepare whatever you need and note it on your sheets.

Ready to go

Tavar, Lav, Lurean and Theren have all checked in either here or on the discussion thread. Genryu?

Buy stuff now guys. This is the last leg and you won't be able to pop to the shops up a mountain in enemy territory. As I mentioned on the discussion thread, this may be your last extended rest as well - although you might manage to squeak one in somehow.

Genryu is good to go

How are we getting there guys? It's a 120 mile plus journey up that mountain.

Exchanging a few quiet words (and a small diamond) with Valthrun, Alasandro picks up a scroll.

"Fey portal. We'll need this."

I can perform the Shadow walk ritual it won't get us there instantly but it will allow us to travel 5 times faster. Also the Phantom Steed ritual can provide us with mounts that can ignore rough terrain or even fly. Using both we could reach our destination in one or two days.

I can perform the Shadow walk ritual it won't get us there instantly but it will allow us to travel 5 times faster. Also the Phantom Steed ritual can provide us with mounts that can ignore rough terrain or even fly. Using both we could reach our destination in one or two days.

Combined with the overland flight ritual you picked up from Remliel's stash, that would cut the travel time to very little.

OK forget the Phantom Steeds and use Overland Flight and Shadow Walk we can get to the mountain in about 3 hours.

Cool. Just waiting for Lav to update himself and we'll be on our way.

I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken. Rituals were appropriately there. Sheet up to date. Rev, please disregard the e-mailed one.

Noted Lavender. Moving right along here. If anyone has used a ritual (e.g. Endure Elements or somesuch, please note it in your next post. You know where you're going and you have time to prepare.

The weather is as unforgiving as you knew it would be. Here on the outskirts of reality, where the fey and the material touch, you would expect no less. Through the biting wind, blowing snow in vicious spirals around your faces, you at last glimpse your goal.

On the icy outcrop you seek stands the monolith circle which will lead you to Winter's Heart, the chill home of Koliada herself.

Less promisingly, a selection of her creatures wait, bored with their vigil and ready to battle anyone foolish enough to interfere with the schemes of their mistress.

Four icy fey flit and wrestle among themselves, occasionally taking clumsily to the air, but dangerously fast on the treacherous ground. Three ice trolls, each armed with a maul of solid ice watch indifferently standing among rubble which you realise is more difficult to traverse than you'd imagine due to their size. On the edge of the strange outcropping, near an ice horn, stands yet another fey. She wields a staff and watches closely, a picture of concentration.

MAP

Stuff to note:
None of the terrain affects any of the monsters.
Blue lumps are the monoliths (and the portal).
Rubble is difficult terrain.
The drop is huge. Try not to fall off.
"C" on the map is next to the closest thing I could find to the ice horn.

Roll init please and tell me where you would like to be on the map. Don't feel compelled to cluster together unless you want to. Between us all, we've got enough rituals and whatnot to put us down pretty well anywhere.

Init so far
Trolls - 35
Colzath - 33
Iceling slashers - 29
Alasandro - 26

INIT= 24
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Init so far
Trolls - 35
Colzath - 33
Iceling slashers - 29
Alasandro - 26
Tavar - 24

Tavar - where would you like to be on the map?

Tavar - where would you like to be on the map?

A place where the monsters can't see me or hit me but I can see and hit them, or O3 if the other space isn't available.

Rev DM wrote:

Tavar - where would you like to be on the map?

A place where the monsters can't see me or hit me but I can see and hit them, or O3 if the other space isn't available.

You've got to have a dream :) OK. O3 it is.

Init, better of 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 and 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20, (20) plus any warlord bonus. Start at S7.

What does "Icewalk" do for me here? It's not in Compendium

Rev:

Initiative: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37 I'll take Q6.

List amended to include Lurean's +6 bonus. Iceling Slashers suddenly look a lot more vulnerable.

MAP

Init so far
Theren
Trolls - 35
Colzath - 33
Alasandro - 32
Tavar - 30
Iceling slashers - 29
Lavender - 26

Initiative 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19; Q3 please

Lavender - icewalk allows you to treat icy terrain as normal when it otherwise counts as difficult. No movement penalty. Your earlier spoiler is noted.

MAP

Init so far
Theren
Trolls - 35
Colzath - 33
Alasandro - 32
Tavar - 30
Iceling slashers - 29
Lavender - 26
Genryu

Placed at O4.
Init: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

The companions take last glances at each other as the battle for the portal commences.

MAP

*Theren
Trolls - 35
Colzath - 33
Alasandro - 32
Tavar - 30
Iceling slashers - 29
Lavender - 26
Genryu - 19
Lurean - 16

Genryu - 19

Lurean - 16

Rev DM wrote:

Genryu - 19

Lurean - 16

** spoiler omitted **

You're right. They didn't. Amended.

MAP

*Theren
Trolls - 35
Colzath - 33
Alasandro - 32
Tavar - 30
Iceling slashers - 29
Genryu - 27
Lavender - 26
Lurean - 22

Theren raises his sword and points it at the fey with a staff. "You. Erathis has judged you, and you have been found wanting. Now, accept your punishment." Theren then charges across the ice, attempting to run her through.

Oath of Enmity on C, then charging her. Ending in P11. Attack, damage, Stealth:1d20 + 29 ⇒ (6) + 29 = 35

1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 38

2d12 + 12 ⇒ (2, 1) + 12 = 15

1d20 + 27 ⇒ (19) + 27 = 46

Apologies if the usual flavour is missing - having a family crisis that is eating some time.

Theren leaps towards Colzath, his blade shimmering in the air and just misses her. At least, he does if 35 is the attack roll.

The trolls advance, mauls held high.

T1 slams into Tavar.
Troll 1 (AC) v Tavar. On hit target takes 15 ongoing cold damage (se) (1d20+32=40, 2d8+10=13). 13hp damage to Tavar and 15 ongoing cold (se)

T2 clouts Lurean.
Troll 2 (AC) v Lurean. On hit target takes 15 ongoing cold damage (se) (1d20+32=44, 2d8+10=19). 19hp damage to Lurean and 15 ongoing cold (se)

T3 lumbers up to Alasandro.
T3 v Alasandro (1d20+32=48, 2d8+10=21). 21hp damage to Alasandro, 15 ongoing cold (se)

Colzath looks at Theren and deliberately leans towards the horn, sounding a long, calling note to the valley below. She shifts away, a half-smile touching her lips and a look of greedy expectation on her face.

MAP

Alasandro - 15 ongoing cold damage(se)
Tavar - 15 ongoing cold damage (se).
Iceling slashers
Genryu
Lavender
Lurean - 15 ongoing cold damage (se)
??
*Theren
Trolls
Colzath - under Theren's Oath of Emnity

Apologies if the usual flavour is missing - having a family crisis that is eating some time.

Theren leaps towards Colzath, his blade shimmering in the air and just misses her. At least, he does if 35 is the attack roll.

No problem. What if 38 is the attack roll?

38 hits. Sir is delivering 15hp of damage.

Alasandro smiles gently and drops curses on T1 and T3. Moving swiftly to the edge of the chasm, he sends eldritch power streaking into the nearest troll. Shaking himself like a dog, he steams as the cold damage leaves him.

Eldritch Blast (ref) v T3 (1d20+23=39, 2d10+10=29, 3d8=9). 38hp damage to T3. YAY!
Save v ongoing cold (1d20+1=14). Saved.

MAP

Tavar - 15 ongoing cold damage (se).
Iceling slashers
Genryu
Lavender
Lurean - 15 ongoing cold damage (se)
??
*Theren
Troll 1 - cursed by Alasandro
Troll 2
Troll 3 - cursed by Alasandro
Colzath - under Theren's Oath of Emnity
Alasandro - concealment gained

At will power; Cast Divine Armor, close burst 3, myself and all allies in burst gain +2 to AC and resist 5 all damage until the end of the encounter. Effecting Li'remean and Genryu.
Move action; shift to N4
Standard action; Activate Ring of Fireblazing centered on N5, close blast 3, Charisma vs. Reflex
Attack vs T21d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 40
Attack vs T31d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 40
Attack vs I11d20 + 24 ⇒ (9) + 24 = 33
Damage = 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 and ongoing 10 fire damage
If attacks misses deal half damage and ongoing 5 Fire damage.
Save = 1d20 ⇒ 12 and saves vs ongoing damage

Tavar sets wards of shielding around those of him companions he can reach and unleashes a firestorm among the trolls. Even the nearest iceling melts a little in the onslaught.

The icelings advance.
I1 launches itself between Theren and Alasandro, raking at the pair with arctic claws. The long nails slide off Theren's armour, but Alasandro isn't so lucky.
Slick Assault. If hits both targets, can shift 5 as a free action. I1 v Alasandro and Theren (1d20+28=47, 2d8+4=10, 1d20+28=29, 2d8+4=12). 10hp cold damage to Alasandro.

Flame continues to crackle around the creature.

Save v ongoing fire (1d20=8)

The other icelings move with incredible swiftness to surround Tavar and Lurean, icy claws gleaming as they dig eagerly at the pair. I3 hits both targets and slides swiftly out of range.

Attacked with Slick Assault. If hits both targets, can shift 5 as a free action.

Claws (AC) v Tavar (1d20+28=43, 2d8+4=14). 8hp cold damage to Tavar (resistance factored in)

I3 Slick Assault (AC) v Tavar and Lurean (1d20+30=42, 2d8+4=11, 1d20+30=40, 2d8+4=13). 3hp damage to Tavar, 8hp cold damage to Lurean (resistance factored in). Total 11hp cold damge to Tavar this round.

I4 Slick Assault (AC) v Tavar and Lurean (1d20+30=32, 2d8+4=10, 1d20+30=32, 2d8+4=13)

MAP

Genryu - +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
Lavender
Lurean - 15 ongoing cold damage (se; +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
??
*Theren
Troll 1 - cursed by Alasandro
Troll 2 - 10 ongoing fire damage (se)
Troll 3 - cursed by Alasandro; 10 ongoing fire damage (se)
Colzath - under Theren's Oath of Emnity
Alasandro - concealment gained
Tavar - +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
Iceling slasher 1 - 5 ongoing fire damage (se)
Iceling slasher 2
Iceling slasher 3
Iceling slasher 4

Rev, I've got resist cold 15 from my armor. Is all the damage I have received cold damage?

Rev, I've got resist cold 15 from my armor. Is all the damage I have received cold damage?

Icelings deal pure cold. Trolls deal normal damage with the ongoing from their attack being cold. So you've only taken 19 damage total I think.

Shift to Q4; Weight of Earth on T3 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (3) + 26 = 29; Damage 4d6 + 26 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 1) + 26 = 36, and T3 is slowed until the end of next turn; Miss: 8 damage

Genryu's maul misses the troll, but the reverberations still send a shock wave through the monster.

MAP

Lavender
Lurean - 15 ongoing cold damage (se; +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
??
*Theren
Troll 1 - cursed by Alasandro
Troll 2 - 10 ongoing fire damage (se)
Troll 3 - cursed by Alasandro; 10 ongoing fire damage (se)
Colzath - under Theren's Oath of Emnity
Alasandro - concealment gained
Tavar - +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
Iceling slasher 1 - 5 ongoing fire damage (se)
Iceling slasher 2
Iceling slasher 3
Iceling slasher 4
Genryu - +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter

Lavender attempts a new spell he has been honing, but not yet put into practice, gambling much on his insight into the ice creatures' inability to see through his shadows.

Deceptive Shadows vs Will (rolling twice and taking better for each, but dazed TEOMNT if miss). Burst 2 centered on N7. Attack vs. T2 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (17) + 25 = 42 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40.
Attack vs. T3 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (11) + 25 = 36 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45.
Attack vs. I2 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (1) + 25 = 26 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45.
Attack vs. I4 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (7) + 25 = 32.
On hit, 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 5, 3) + 12 = 23 untyped, and TEOMNT target has LOS only to creature(s) nearest to it (allies or enemies).

Crits on T3 and I2, for 5d6 + 30 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 1, 5) + 30 = 47 on T3 and 5d6 + 30 ⇒ (5, 1, 6, 3, 2) + 30 = 47 on I2.

Lavender can congratulate himself on study time well spent as he expertly shapes the snowflakes into a whirling, dizzying blanket, distracting the nearest trolls and icelings from their purpose and harrying their line of sight.

T3, already under attack, is bloodied by the distracting shards.

MAP

Lurean - (15 ongoing cold damage (se) - but armour reduces that to 0 anyway); +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
??
*Theren
Troll 1 - cursed by Alasandro
Troll 2 - 10 ongoing fire damage (se); LoS only on I2 to end Lav's next turn
Troll 3 - bloodied; cursed by Alasandro; 10 ongoing fire damage (se); LoS only on I4
Colzath - under Theren's Oath of Emnity
Alasandro - concealment gained
Tavar - +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
Iceling slasher 1 - 5 ongoing fire damage (se)
Iceling slasher 2 - LoS only on Tavar and T2 to end Lav's next turn
Iceling slasher 3
Iceling slasher 4 - LoS only on Lurean, Tavar and T3 to end Lav's next turn
Genryu - +2AC and resist 5 all to end encounter
Lavender

Lurean steps toward the wounded troll and enchants his blade for a mighty stroke.
Move: Shift to P5
Minor: Foe Stone on Troll
stand: Baneblade vs. T3's AC 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (19) + 28 = 47

2d6 + 3d8 + 14 ⇒ (2, 6) + (6, 5, 6) + 14 = 39
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, your attacks against huminoids deal 2d6 extra damage.