"The spirits tell Chorro that his pack needs watching over, so he and Snow will again do so."

The shifter swivels his head to where the aforementioned spirit rests, by the hearth, head on massive paws. "Snow tells Chorro he will do his best to keep you safe."

Chorro nods to himself, satisfied that things are as they should be, and drinks his mug of beer in one long pull.

In addition to being a good scout, Chorro can do some ranged damage, and (hopefully) manage to not be useless in melee. Staying within two squares of Snow can net you Temp HP, minor Heals or Defensive bonuses fairly often. His main purpose, however, is to keep y'all alive to kill things.

"I have further honed my skills to invoke the will of Avandra as I strike with my full blade to disorient our enemies and help strengthen all of you. The abilities that she has graced me with ensure that I can keep you all alive."

Pretty much a meatshield as well as debuffs for the baddies and some buffs/heals for you guys.

Esmeralda returns from the kitchen, her clothes smell of the burnt food.

"Sorry about that Alasandro. You wanted a description of the man right? He was a tall man, about six feet, lean and muscular. He had long black tied in a pony tail. Streaks of grey can be seen at his temples. He had a moustache and beard, both well trimmed. He had a hawk-like nose, pale complexion."

"His eyes though were the most peculiar feature of his face, they were a very clear blue like that of a cloudless summer sky. I got the impression that he could see right through me. Never felt so exposed."

Insight Roll, DC 25

Insight: 26

Theren sighs and stands up. "Where have you seen him before?"

Esmeralda tries to cover her surprise, "He had stayed at the inn a few time before. He says he's a merchant."

Insight: 1d20+22=29

Chorro stands, stretches his rangy limbs as if to relieve the aches of long travel and walks past Esmerelda to the hearth, there crouching down to scratch behind Snow's ears. His movements are languid, free of cares. His eyes are neither.

Undying One:

Insight (1d20+19=34)

Immeral watches as Esmeralda explains about the letter's delivery and about the man who bought it, the wizard asks "When was the last you saw of this man? Is he in here frequent?" When Esmeralda begins to speak Immeral studies her demeanor and body language to she if she may hiding something
Insight (1d20+19=21)

Insight (1d20 14=25)

"Has he ever asked you to deliver anything for before?" asks Alasandro gently, noting his companion's reactions and Esmeralda's own slight unease.

Lavender watches his friends curiously.

1d20+19=20

First roll of the campaign -- I am mighty!

Gilliam perks up when the girl comes back to listen to her story.

Gilliam is a healer and support. He focuses on radiant damage and fire damage ranged attacks.

Take your time. We're not going anywhere

Genryu sits quietly drinking his beverage.

Insight: 1d20+22=29

Chorro stands, stretches his rangy limbs as if to relieve the aches of long travel and walks past Esmerelda to the hearth, there crouching down to scratch behind Snow's ears. His movements are languid, free of cares. His eyes are neither.

Undying One: ** spoiler omitted **

Insight (1d20+19=34)

Immeral watches as Esmeralda explains about the letter's delivery and about the man who bought it, the wizard asks "When was the last you saw of this man? Is he in here frequent?" When Esmeralda begins to speak Immeral studies her demeanor and body language to she if she may hiding something
Insight (1d20+19=21)

"The last time he was here was when he delivered that message."

"He's been going here about once a month."

Insight (1d20 14=25)

"Has he ever asked you to deliver anything for before?" asks Alasandro gently, noting his companion's reactions and Esmeralda's own slight unease.

Esmeralda seems to wither under the scrutiny of such legendary figures.

Insight: 26

Theren sighs and stands up. "Where have you seen him before?"

Alasandro wrote:

Insight (1d20 14=25)

"Has he ever asked you to deliver anything for before?" asks Alasandro gently, noting his companion's reactions and Esmeralda's own slight unease.

"No that message was the first time he asked for a favor."

Esmeralda seems to wither under the scrutiny of such legendary figures.

Genryu lifts his mug and takes a drink.

"It seems are constant barrage of questions are sending the poor girls mind spinning. I say we enjoy our time here and leave to the Keep tomorrow."

Esmeralda nods her thanks at Genryuu.

No more questions then?

No questions from the old Goliath. Time for investigating not words

No more things you guys wanna do for this day other than party? Next day then?

Off to the Keep the next day, I think

A swift sketch of the party as they are now, sitting around the fire, a nice half bottle of fantasy-land chablis and Alasandro is good to go.

good to go here

Ready to go.

All ready!

Ready

The night proved uneventful but the biting cold made sleeping difficult. Your dreams, if you can all them that, were mostly of a eldritch pale blue skinned woman with a maniacal laughter wielding a menacing sword. "Your soul is mine!" she shouts and stabs you. You are jolted awake and you find yourself in your rented room at the inn.

You suit up and head for the common room.

Unless you have some other preparations you wish to include...

You leave Winterhaven behind and head for the Keep. The sun refuses to light your way as it hides behind dark storm clouds. The occasional bird and animal stop to watch you pass but for the most part the road to the Keep is deserted.

After a couple of hours of hard riding, the Keep can be seen over the horizon like a dessicated corpse hand clawing its way out of the earth.

Reining in Phyllis, Alasandro looks at the Keep. "Still no more welcoming than it was all those years ago."

A wide smile creeps over his face.

"Can we possibly get into more trouble than we did that time? Oh - and just out of curiosity, did anyone else dream of a cold witch or am I alone in the pleasure?"

"Can we possibly get into more trouble than we did that time? Oh - and just out of curiosity, did anyone else dream of a cold witch or am I alone in the pleasure?"

Chorro peers over his shoulder in response to the painter's remark, nodding slightly.

Sitting easily on his old mare, he places a calming hand on the strawberry roan's shoulder. "Shhhh, little sister. Chorro says no harm shall come to you."

How far is it from here to the keep, O Undying One?

At the present rate, you'll be there in less than hour. Time enough to munch on whatever food you guys have.

Memorized spells updated

"Can we possibly get into more trouble than we did that time? Oh - and just out of curiosity, did anyone else dream of a cold witch or am I alone in the pleasure?"

"Me, too." Gilliam replies. "But if she thinks that a dream warning or a creepy nightmare is going to deter us," he pauses for effect. "well, she doesn't know us at all."

Genryuu approaches with the others, his eyes scanning the area.

Perception 1d20+18=23

Theren continues to ride along silently.

Alright, I know Ravadel posted something a few days ago...

He did post on a couple of his player threads saying he's hugely busy.

Alasandro nods as the others confirm their dreams, nudges Phyllis with his heels and rides on.

Hey guys, I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be out of town from tomorrow afternoon til monday evening sometime. Feel free to DM PC me as needed.

Check out discussion thread folks. Proposal needing your input.

Harsh ice has forced the landscape into a more sinister aspect and gilded it with a chill of foreboding that even the least imaginative of you cannot ignore.

For Alasandro at least, something more seems to be affecting him. Half a mile from the ancient entrance you remember so well, he pulls up and gathers his friends.

"My joy at seeing you all has clouded my mind and my judgement. You all know I was raised in the Feywild. My home was long there and I know its ways. This cold is a fey working. I feel it."

He pauses, clearly reluctant to continue.

"My friends. I cannot go with you now. The Winter Court is gathering. I have contacts there. Friends even. This unnatural winter is surely some part of the Prince of Frost's work. I will find you again."

Pulling out the picture he drew at the inn last night, he hands it to Lavender.

"You carry a thousand memories Lav. Take another and guard it."

He grins at you all. "Amos will tell me how you fared. Don't take risks I wouldn't take. That should free you nicely to create havoc."

With that, he gestures quietly and watches as a fey portal rises in front of him. "I'll find you."

The last you see of him as the portal closes behind him is a nondescript figure in a fur-lined cloak, noticeable only for his paint stained fingers.

Genryu nods as his companion leaves through the portal.

"We don not have the time bid our friend a farwell. Our duties lay ahead."

Your dreams and Alasandro's forebodings of fey plotting trigger memories. Half remembered tales of a fey of power known as the Winter Witch struggle to make themselves heard.

Arcana checks please

DC25

DC30

DC35

Questions, and maybe some answers revolve in your minds as your horses crunch their way through the thickly drifted snow towards the Keep.

Lavender seems lost in thought for a bit, then starts to ruminate aloud on his vast memories of the Winter Witch.

Arcana 43, shares all spoilers

The drifting snow crunches under your horses hooves as you approach the ruined tower leading to the keep's lower works. At the sound, a skeletal knight steps out from the shadows. The rasping voice calls out to you as you come within earshot.

"Old friends. I am glad you have heeded my call. Times are dire and I find that I need your help again."

MAP

You are approaching from the south and are at present in the area P-S/16-19. The grey area is a track rising to the entrance to the tower. The white areas are 20 feet (4 squares) below). The icy ground makes all of this area difficult terrain. Rocks are large boulders and require 3 squares of movement to climb over them.

Perception, Insight, Religion and Arcana checks please

"We know you didn't write that note, Keegan. How about you tell us what's really going on here."

I'll be in P18. Religion, Insight, Perception: 36, 22, 30

Father Theren

Something is very wrong here. Although you find the words convincing, the knight speaking to you does not appear to be Sir Keegan. Already suspicious due to the errors in the note you received, you are even more sure now you stand in front of him.

Not only is the bone structure different to your memory, but this figure seems to radiate an aura similar to that of a death knight.

Nor is that all. Bones are sticking out of the drifts surrounding the entrance. The snow has been falling heavily all day, stopping only in the last few minutes. By rights, these sad remains should be covered.

"Surely this is no way to treat an old friend? I seek your help to stop the un-natural winter before the whole land freezes."

MAP

"Two lessons for you. First, do not send a death knight to impersonate a just man. Second, bury your minions deeper.", says Theren as a suit of armor forms around him.

Wait, are still on our horses? In any case, calling my armor.

Q-19 Perception, Insight, Religion, Arcana (1d20+14=30, 1d20+19=35, 1d20+31=41, 1d20+29=43)