AP #67-72 - Reign of Winter: Misfits Unchained (Inactive)

Game Master Wilmannator

Kuragin makes the save! Please feel free to act! ;-)

Was going to put some conditions on whether or not Ishbaad would know where the witch went, but when I previewed, I saw that it didn't matter... so...

The giant sized oread continues plunging through the sleet storm, left arm held in front of his face to shield his eyes from the driving precipitation.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2

His feet are shakey, and he isn't sure if he trusts the cleats from his near fall earlier. His shakey trust is confirmed a moment later when the cleats get caught up in a slushy snowball, rendering them useless. A moment later his rump hits the ground beneath him.

"%)*% %$)*%)* #&#$& %$#&%( $*$*%"

The string of oread curse words flow from his mouth unabated as he scrambles and slips, trying to stand back up.

I'm gonna skewer me a witch...

"I'm going to carve your heart out with a spoon!" he yells into the driving storm, not entirely sure what direction he should be facing anymore.

Move action fail to fall on my butt. Second move action to try to stand back up...

Acrobatics to stand back up, if necessary: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (5) - 4 = 1 oh dear...

Heafoc meanwhile in full hunting mode easily flies over the storm and attacks the witch.

Beak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Bite Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

So she fell asleep, feel down and woke up because she took damage, then flew back over the ice storm? Oh vey!

"And that is why you will fail. Because you will try and make me your slave, but I will] kill you dead."

That is if I can ever catch her.

"Ishbaad, I shall stay here for a 20 count. If she flies back over I will skewer her like a pin cushion."

Ready action

Ishbaad... dude... those dice hate you!

Ishbaad struggles to remain standing... somehow... despite being cleated in. Heafoc still cannot manage to land a blow against Nazhena. Jorvik, meanwhile, makes ready to rain fresh hell upon her with his arrows.

Next up: Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight (Round 15).

"Nom nom nom nom nom!!"
will save (hero point: 1d20 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 8 = 18
Holding any action until I know the result of the save

Passed, just!

Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight stops chewing on the troll flesh, no longer suffering from the magical desire to consume it. The icy cold chunk stays there in his mouth for a while and both Kuragin and Jorvik look over, wondering what the goblin will do next.

Spit, or swallow?

I assume that means I get a full round?)
Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight looks up from the troll corpse he has been chewing on, continuing to chew for a moment. Again, he has to fly straight up, to get to the witch who is flying all over the place. He flies right next to the witch again, but cannot take an attack, since he had to fly so far. He drops down around her, giving Heafoc a flank, and hopefully making it really hard for her to get away. (provokes, if she is armed)

"Mrffl fliffl fthch!"

fly DC20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Nazhena disappearing once more behind the sleet storm, Kuragin feels there is little he can do. Low on options, we draws his crossbow and stares at the weapon in disbelief before loading a bolt into it..

I can't believe I'm doing this...

Nazhena takes the opportunity to attack with her sickle as the goblin passes by.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

However, she is clearly ill suited to hand to hand combat. Her swing goes well high.

Nazhena growls and decides to find a better place to stand her ground (full withdraw so she doesn't provoke for the square you're flanking her in).

Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Heafoc AoO: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Heafoc damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Heafoc scores an excellent bite upon her rump as she flies away and through the heavy snow and sleet still falling after her ice storm

Fly check, spell bonus??, storm penalty: 1d20 + 19 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 19 - 4 = 16 -- Huh. A 1 and she still makes it. Trying not to let you know what spell bonus is.

Next up: Jorvik (Round 15), Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight, Ishbaad (Round 16).

Should have stayed where I was... grumble grumble...

His anger and frustration building, Ishbaad takes a moment to calm himself down.

Unexpectedly, he begins to chuckle, which turns into a full on belly laugh.

"Haahahahaha! Yes, run away scared little witchy-poo! Amuse yourself while we dance around in your storms, but you can't run forever! This is the north! You're reckoning is inevitable!"

With that, Ishbaad slams his right foot into the ice below him, hoping it will give him the traction he needs to stand up.

Acro to stand up, if necessary: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2

Unfortunately, he picks a weak spot in the ice, and instead of hard purchase, the cleats only find mushy snow, and he flails his legs even more.

I've seen Nagaji look more coordinated trying to stand up...

Acro to stand up, if necessary: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (4) - 4 = 0

I've angered the dice gods by miss-spelling John's name. /sigh

Dude, I'll let you retcon to just crawl out. You come out prone, then stand up when the ground isn't so icy. Double move to get out, stand up next round.

fly: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight flies up next to her. (unless she is using something other than the spell, he moves at the same rate.)

"HELP ME GET HER!!! What are you guys doing?!"

I'll take it!

Doing his best to make lemonade out of yellow snow, Ishbaad kicks and claws trying to stand up, to no avail. Soon he realizes he is making progress on the ground, so he just keeps kicking. In a few inglorious moments he reaches the edge of the storm.

-Posted with Wayfinder

While Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight refuses to let Nazhena get out of his sight again, Ishbaad finally crawls free from the sleet storm. No harm was done to him save, perhaps, for his pride.

Next up: Jorvik (Round 15), Kuragin (Round 16).

Seven ... eight .... nine ...

Jorvik silently counts waiting for the witch to appear.

Honestly, I did not look at my spoiler, can we keep that?

You can keep the rolls, but as your companions will be able to inform you, she's headed back to the Hut. Care to change your action?

Blah!

Once again cursing himself for a fool. Jorvik steps back into the white wall of sleet and ice. His beard instantly frosted over, he steps carefully to avoid anything that would slow him down.

Acro DC 10: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

I should've stayed on the other side...

Once again, Kuragin pushes into the sleet storm, and braves the wind and sleet.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 2 = 13

Double move

Lockwood given for IMQiS based on his last post.

Nazhena's familiar flies low over the heads of the fey waiting for the heroes to finish off the Baroness. It hoots as it returns to the Hut and its mistress through the storm.

Owl fly: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

Nazhena exits the ice storm, flying 5-ft backwards and down (and auto-succeeding on a hover check) and begins to summon her inner reserves.

This is not a spell but a special ability. No idea what check this is to know a class feature.

The ice and snow fallen from the storm, as well as snow and ice from the surrounding clearing, is gathered up and formed into a solid wall by Nazhena's magics. Unlike the wall of ice this one is carefully crafted by her will, and perfectly fits in to the tree line and seals up the entrance. Also unlike the ice wall, this structure is thicker and sturdier... and she has left it deliberately translucent. Those peering within or without can see - through the storm - a distorted picture of events on the other side. However, they will need to break through the wall in order to

"You're mine now," sneers Nazhena, brandishing her wand and sickle at Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight and Heafoc, "It will take your friends a long time to break through that!"

The ice wall here is much thicker than the wall of ice - about double - is much sturdier and stretches all the way to the top of the canopy and across the opening, effectively sealing it up.

Keep in mind the storm is still raging and imposes a -4 on fly checks.

Next up: Jorvik (Round 16), Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight, Ishbaad (Round 17).

Double moved myself on the map, something came up, though, post will have to wait a second.

Right foot .... left foot .... right foot .... left foot

Jorvik once again plods back through the storm, determined to see this fight end one way or the other.

Acrobatics, DC 10: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Prey in sight, Heafoc has no time for magics and ice walls and storms.

She flutters down and bites and claws into the witch. 5-foot flystep

Beak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Bite Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Talon #1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Talon Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Talon #2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Talon Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Finally free of the sleet storm, Ishbaad charges towards the wall that seals in Heafoc and Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight. There is no wall that will stop him for long though, and his arms reach backwards in order to swing the hammer at this new frozen barrier.

Couldn't actually charge in a straight line, so I just had to double move. Next round I can start channeling my inner John Henry.

Edit: Just throwing a dart into the darkness here...

"Dawn Piper! Time for you to earn even more favor! Can you haste me?"

While the companions struggle free of the storm, Heafoc continues to chip away at Nazhena's flesh with her beak, but her claws cannot find purchase.

Ishbaad makes a request for help and Auraenos chuckles before responding. "You'll have to ask nicer than that... but it will avail you nothing," calls Auraenos calmly over the stormy winds - his mellifluous voice touching Ishbaad's ears as though he were right next to the oread, "What gave you the impression that I could cast haste of all things? Don't you know that anything worth doing is worth taking your time to do?"

Where did you get the impression he could cast haste?

Despite the bluster, Auraenos does draw his flute and step closer to the wall and Ishbaad. Wortleby follows.

Next up: Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight (Round 17).

Where did you get the impression he could cast haste?

I didn't - it was a Hail Mary... :)

Emerging from the storm, Jorvik looks around only to see another ice wall. He shakes his head at the absurdity of it all. Life is so precious, so fleeting, that everyone and everything clings to it with everything they have.

This witch could line the streets with the bones of the dead. She has killed for years, indiscriminately, uncaring. Yet now with the final few moments of her life, she fights a losing battle. No matter, Heafoc will see her downed before I ever get there.

Turning to the Dawn Piper, "First Worlder, though this is not your native home, surely you must know the stories of the north. You must know that she is evil incarnate inhuman form. We implore you again to aid us in our fight. We are still suffering the loss of our two companions, and our resources are close to diminished. Yet we shall hold true to our bargain regardless. We shall see you home. Right after brave Heafoc pecks her eyes out and Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight burns her to a crisp."

Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight ponders the situation, and decides to take a chance. He moves up, and then tries to grab the witch! He grins, ans he moves in, expecting her surprise!
Auto=succeed on DC15 fly check
She gets an AoO if she is armed
grapple check, higher ground: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19

Heh, looks like Heafoc is the DPS in this battle

Kuragin continues his traverse through the storm.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 = 17

With my luck, she returns to the other side once I'm through

Double move

Nazhena struggles as Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight grabs ahold of her.

"I was saving this for your more powerful companions... but it looks like you just doomed yourself," she notes before chanting the words of a spell.

"Icy Prison," she chants from within the goblin's frantic grabbing.

Nazhena concentration, DC 22: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Suddenly, ice pushes its way between Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight and the baroness. He tries to hang on...

IMQiS reflex save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Wow.

... but cannot manage to do so. Before he can prevent it, his limbs and entire body are encased in 10 inches of ice. Somehow, he finds that he can still breath, but the burning cold of the structure around him starts wearing away at his protections.

10 cold damage, no save.

The weight of the ice around the goblin gradually causes him to drift back down to the ground, where his prison block lands with a *tink* on the overgrown, icy cobblestones.

Freed from the grabby snow goblin, Nazhena backs away and down from Heafoc to allow her owl to join the fray. It interposes itself between Heafoc and his mistress and lashes out with a talon.

Talon vs Heafoc: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d4 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2

Despite being much weaker than the falcon, it scores quite the scratch upon Heafoc.

If Heafoc wants to hover, please don't forget to take a -4 penalty on the check because of the ice storm that is still in effect.

Next up: Jorvik (Round 17), Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight, Ishbaad (Round 18).

Well, I know the spell. Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight is dead unless some how he gets cut out before his protection and resistance run out. I am assuming a caster level >6, so I we'll pretend I roll each round. Until then, I am out of the combat.

Hero Point?

Jorvik freed of the storm rushes to get to the wall and break it down as he sees Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight fall from the sky, and Heafoc battle valiantly.

Time is short, we must get there.

Double move to Ice Wall

Wanting to kill the witch, Heafoc lashes out to destroy the owl to clear the way.

Fly, DC 15 to hover: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 4 = 23

All attacks vs owl
Beak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Bite Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Talon #1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Talon Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Talon #2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Talon Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Ishbaad senses Jorvik approaching behind him. Deep inside, he feels the twinges of panic and urgency when he sees his unlikely goblin friend encased in ice so suddenly.

If only Aoife were here...

The rage and frustration of this fight continues to peak in his chest. While in reality it has been less than two minutes, the seconds and intensity of the chasing has made it feel like hours.

His heart pounds inside his chest, and his endurance threatens to collapse. So close to a victory they have longed for since they met the people of Waldsby, and Nadya, yet now it feels so far, separated by an enormous wall of ice.

But in his heart he knows he must not relent. And so no indication of fatigue, stress, or frustration shows on his face. Only determination, that nothing will stop him, no time, no distance, and certainly no physical barrier.

"ONE!" he cries, snapping his core muscles down, pivoting his chest, shoulders, arms, and finally the hammer as if it were merely an extension of his rage and power in a large arc, crashing into the icy wall that separates him from his isolated and imprisoned friend.

Damage (auto hit), power attack, bludgeon: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

@Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight: Please let me know your current HP remaining on your protection from energy.

Does IMQiS have resist cold? That should at least buy us some time I would think. Hopefully we can bust through this wall quickly... *eep*!

@Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight: Please let me know your current HP remaining on your protection from energy.

Heafoc gnashes at Nazhena's owl. With a claw full of feathers and a beak dripping with blood, the falcon finally emerges the victor as the owl plumets to the ground with a thud.

Falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

It lies there, very still and Nazhena fumes. "You're next, bird! I have ignored you for too long!"

The thunk of hammer on ice breaks the mood in the clearing. As though spurred on by the companions outside, Baba Yaga's Hut strains again at the chains and lashes out at Nazhena with a clawed, wooden chicken foot. Nazhena's hair blows back with the force of the blow, so close to her head, but she seems to have grown accustomed to the Hut's thrashing.

Ishbaad's hammer thrums in his hands as it is rebuffed by the wall of ice. His palms have a numbing sensation, and he knows instantly that this ice is far thicker and harder than that which surrounded the witch earlier. Still, chunks have fallen free.

Meanwhile, Kuragin flings a fire-charged snowball at the place where Ishbaad struck.

Snowfireball: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 6, 4) = 21

Molten ice (water with a floral description) flows from the hole that is beginning to appear. Auraenos smiles as he draws his flute and begins a sharp note that attempts to resonate the ice and shatter it like a crystal glass. He is less successful than Kuragin, however. Ice does not have the same regular molecular pattern that crystal does and he struggles to find a resonant frequency.

Dissonance: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 3, 2, 4) = 23 -- Halved

Inside the ice barrier, Nazhena turns her sights upon the falcon who downed her owl. She gathers magical snow in her hands, and flings it at Heafoc, affording the falcon the chance to interrupt her spell.

Heafoc AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 -- Miss.

Snowball: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Snowball damage: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5, 1, 2) = 18

Heafoc save vs Numbing Chill: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 -- All good.

Nazhena then moves back and away, the Hut swiping at her again, landing in a more defensible position should the oread and his friends manage to break through the wall.

Next up: Jorvik (Round 18), Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight, Ishbaad (Round 19).

Jorvik hustles up to the hole that Ishbaad, Kuragin and Auraenos have made. He swings Frostreaver in a deadly arc envisioning Nazhena face.

Frostreaver: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"TWO!"

Hero point to attack again.

Frostreaver: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"One!"

"Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight. Today is not the day you die! Fight you blue bastard. Fight!" the northman screams as chunks of ice fly into his face and beard.

Excited for her kill, Heafoc wheels in the sky and seeks out her other prey, the witch!

Beak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Bite Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Heafoc does not manage to land another blow on Nazhena, but she does draw her ire.

Actually, I forgot to add Heafoc's damage total to the last combat table. I notice her tagline doesn't match this fight's damage. As of the snowball, she's now down 41hp. I think she should probably be unconscious at this point, unless she has some cold resistance / protection that I'm not aware of...

Frostreaver strikes a mighty blow against the ice wall - smacking it twice in rapid succession. As his oread companion experienced, Jorvik's arms shake from the vibrations of his weapon smacking against the incredibly hard packed ice. Cracks do appear, though, and they are making progress at turning the wall into mere chunks and slurry.

One good hit from Ishbaad should make a large enough hole for the now-giant oread to squeeze* through.

* As per regular rules for squeezing.

As Jorivik finishes his blow, he notices that the ice storm has abated, leaving the air clear and the ground covered in hailstones... melt and seep into the ground moments later.

Next up: Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight, Ishbaad (Round 19).

Ishbaad doesn't miss a beat when Jorvik sneaks an extra strike in on the wall, only winding his powerful core up for another blow.

"TWO!" He shouts as his hammer connects with the weakened spot on the wall.

Damage (auto hit) power attack, bludgeon: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

I am right that there's no difficult terrain any more, and there's a hole big enough for medium sized creatures to pass through? If not, then Kuragin will just delay, otherwise:

There is not much Kuragin can do to Nazhena - most of his powers are spent. Important thing would be to give Ishbaad and Jorvik an opportunity to strike the baroness. And harassing her with Evil eye is always an option - he just needs to get closer. Grabbing the most-likely-useless crossbow with both hands, Kuragin scurries through the opening in the ice wall, stopping only once he stands next to the hut.

Double move

Actually, I forgot to add Heafoc's damage total to the last combat table. I notice her tagline doesn't match this fight's damage. As of the snowball, she's now down 41hp. I think she should probably be unconscious at this point, unless she has some cold resistance / protection that I'm not aware of...

Forgot that snowball targets Touch AC so I thought it missed. Will fix.

Cold washing over her, icing her wings, Heaofc, hater, companion, falls from the sky to the icy ground beneath.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 - 4 = 12

@Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight: I still need your protection from cold total HP remaining. After this round, it's 30 damage taken from the Icy Prison.

Ishbaad strikes a mighty blow and a massive hole is rent in the wall. He squeezes through and to the other side GM license taken here, but you can so you should, right? Uses all your 20ft of movement to get your 10ft wide butt across. We can retcon if you like, but the below happens no matter where Ishbaad is.

Kuragin steps through the wall and near the fallen body of Heafoc. The bird looks to be in a bad way, but not in any immediate danger. He sets his eyes upon Nazhena.

"You!" she cries, seeming more manic than before - perhaps because here familiar was also lying on the ground, "You, I will perhaps save for last. Luckily for you, I have bigger fish to fry."

"Ice spears,", Nazhena chants as she waves her wand. Two massive spikes of ice erupt from the ground. One slices up through Ishbaad's underside, stopping at a height of 10 feet while the other shores up the rent in the wall - hitting no-one but effectively sealing off that portion for Jorvik to follow through.

Ishbaad reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 -- Success!

Piercing damage, cold damage: 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) + (6, 1) = 13 -- 3 damage taken, 3 damage off your protection from cold.

The witch takes flight once more and backs off to find a more defensible position, still brandishing her deadly wand. The Hut lashes out at her again. Baroness Vasilliovna barely notices as the massive structure strains again at its chains to make another attempt at her life. Ishbaad is now faced with a dilemma: attack Nazhena, or save his goblinoid friend?

Squares with Ice Spears are effectively blocked off. They each have hardness 5 and 30hp. Creatures that have an ice spear in line of effect have improved cover (but not total cover).

Next up: Jorvik (Round 19), Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight, Ishbaad (Round 20).

EDIT: Removed damage, had to double move to get into position to even be able to swing. I am out of hero points to get another action. Used them up trying to save Onyx...

Oh yes, and thank you for that assumption! I didn't want to assume to much based on my low damage roll.

Ishbaad is too preoccupied with the goblin's dire straights, and dodging the ice spears to notice that Jorvik is still cut off.

The protruding ice glances off his knee and hip, catching enough of him to leave a mark, but not enough for him to care about in the heat of this extended battle.

In a split second the Oread's mind considers the possibilities in front of him.

Kill the witch, or save my friend...

The northern way is to abandon your friend, and kill your enemy at all costs. I can feel the northern way coursing through my veins...

But I am not like this witch. I am not from the north. Though I may use it's ways, it is not me.

His mind made up, Ishbaad rushes forward, putting himself closer to the witch and more importantly, far enough away from the goblin that he can hit the icy prison with his hammer.

Oops, forgot about Auraenos!

The dawn piper once more lets loose with his pipes, cracking the ice shard protruding from the ground as well as the wall behind.

Dissonance: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 6, 1, 3, 4) = 23

While both take the same blast, the sides of the wall appear in significantly better condition than the shard (ie. attack the shard if you want to get through, Jorvik).

Next up: Jorvik (Round 19), Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight (Round 20).

Jorvik 's back-swing of Frostreaver leaves the man huffing and puffing as they tag-team the hole in the ice wall. A grins spreads across his face as the oread smashes through and begins to squeeze his enlarge frame in.

The grin is quickly wipes off his face as the evil witch impales the oread with ice spikes and again blocks their egress into the clearing.

"Vengeance will be mine." He utters as he smashes at the spikes weakened.

Frostreaver: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"First Worlder, your help has not gone unnoticed nor will it go unrewarded."

Jorvik, you mean hero points. ;-) And you just made it through!

Jorvik rushes through the hole in the ice wall and smashes the icy prison with Frostreaver. Cracks appear all up and down the prison, but it holds... still freezing the life out of the snow goblin within.

Next up: Kuragin, Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight (Round 20).