Adventure Path Reign of Winter

Game Master Almonihah

There is a new map link, "Hut and more" that has the current hut config and regional map as you all know it currently. I'll work on including the library layout also. Just might not be today.

I've been totally lost for a while and honestly was almost frustrated to the point of giving up on the game. Something I can hardly believe I considered doing!

I'm super determined to stay with things so I went over to my local Dollar Store and bought a composition book then went back to the posts starting just before the hut hop. I've carefully reread all of the posts and filled about 10 pages of notes in my new notebook.

Now I feel I'm ready! And this notebook isn't leaving my hands.

And, I really like the story, now that I know what's going on. :-)

So I've made a list of items & loot we have collected since just before the dragons tower over this weekend. Sorry I have been a bit scarce over the weekend.

I've broken it into identified items, valuable items in need of appraise check, and unidentified magic items. I've included who has been given or is holding any given item as stated in posts for and for vague items like unidentified wand/potion I included what fight we picked it up for ease of backtracking for Lareg.

I have also added it to a quick dirty google excel sheet that tabulates prices. I might do more with it later it currently excludes any items a character has claimed: Link

With that we also collected: 2,192.76 gp in coins of various denominations.

If anyone has a claim on any of the items or you find I have missed something let me know.

I'll post some more RP stuff a bit later this morning in gameplay.

Thanks for doing all that legwork, Tez…

If I recall correctly, the 10 +1 Cold Iron Arrows went to Sakitu...as my bow already has a +1 bonus, they'd be no better than regular cold iron arrows to me...

She's so into fighting, you think she's rough in the sack too? And what about the fire thing? You think she squirts off flames when she gets excited?

Hahaha I'll remind you that Maka refers to winners and losers in sex and that she squirts out flames for about every other situation. What you really want to look out for is when Maka has a cold. 3d6 sneezes are nothing to sneeze at.

Just 3d6? Heck a mid lvl Energy Resistance spell would cover that. :)

Here is my homebrew rules thread. I started with a minor rule about haggling, but I have more interesting ones including how to make 100 lvls remain the realm of real world people in terms of raw power, health system, several magic/tech options, etc.

https://paizo.com/threads/rzs430ku?Collection-of-D20-modifications-looking- for#1

Did we ever find out what material the 1st and 3rd amulets were made of? The 2nd one was iron. Just curious.

All the amulets are iron I think. Will double check.

Added "Hut and more" map link to my GM profile in addition to the campaign info. Updated hut portion with library map (N2).

Thanks Sakitu for taking the time to go back through the post hut hop info. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help smooth things out. I too struggled with the transition, but really enjoyed this first chuck of exploring the 'new' hut.

One of the "Masterwork [+2STR] Composite Longbow"s would be worth Bulvi holding onto though I should remember to get a few chakrams as they fall under his weapon trainning of heavy blades.

That's a good idea Bulvi…

We'll probably want to keep the Adamantine Warhammer to overcome some creatures' DR and to possibly break down barriers and stuff when needed...

Can the broken braces of armor be fixed? Or is that something we can't do (or too expensive to do)? Just wondering as Fin will be picking up a few levels of monk, he'll probably forego armor altogether (and he's still only wearing leather now which is only a +2 to AC any way). No worries either way as he usually stays back in ranged distance (when he's not foolhardily stepping in front of a charging boar)…

Excuse my ignorance of magic but how often/how many times can we try to ID the unidentified items? I note some of their DCs are fairly high...

If anybody needs helo identifying things, Selena can help, and she'll use the library for a +2, GM willing, :)

Alas, the library doesn't seem to offer much that would help in way of identifying items :-(

Bracers can be fixed via magic.

Excuse my ignorance of magic but how often/how many times can we try to ID the unidentified items? I note some of their DCs are fairly high...

Well once per day. I've been trying to keep up identifying as many as possible. So I suppose trying again is possible in the morning.

I am considering making use of Tez's wondering spirit and forgoing the life spirit in exchange for the lore spirit for a day to pick up the hex that gives Tez temporary access to a wizard spell. Tez could get the mending spell that way and fix the 3 broken bracers and the broken monks robes and the witches broken sickle.

In addition it would give Tez access in his bonus spirit magic spell slots to cast the Identify Spell that would bump his spellcraft check to a +18 which should be sufficient to nail down all the items we haven't figured out yet.

The downside is Tez loses access to lesser restoration, restoration, neutralize poison. As well as Life Link and his channel positive energy. So if going that route he'll probably give Bulvi back his ring for the day.

As far as loot is concerned the only real issue I'm running into is figuring out the value of all the non-magic expensive items via appraise. It's not a trained skill for Tez so hitting that DC 20 to get the value of the small number of valubale items we've collected is an issue. Does anybody have a decent appraise skill?

The real issue Tez has on his hand is the time crunch and a growing list of downtime priorities for his magic with a limited number of spell slots. So he might be quite useless in combat/adventuring for the next 24 hours depending on how much he dedicates towards shaving down that list.

So apologies if he doesn't do much in combat outside of spam misfortune and cackle during encounters, but multiple castings of gentle repose and mending are going to eat away at his spell-casting pretty bad.

Yeah, that looks like a tough choice, Tez...the restoration spells and neutralize poison are great to have, especially as we'll face tougher foes as we level up...but so are the others...

I'd guess Quasit might have the best appraise mod...

I've got Spellcraft but pretty low (+4). I could give a go at the items every day since it's a level 0 spell (detect magic). I don't have any appraise skills.

Thanks Tezuzu. Here is the first pass at items. Keep in mind that I have included DCs for failed attempts of items that have not yet been identified for future reference.

Identified Items.

Spellcraft, Ice Trolls Battle Axe w/ Lock Motif: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25. +1 Battle Axe of Binding, see here for mechanics.

Spellcraft, Cauldron: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 + (5) + 1 = 21. Cauldron of Brewing

Spellcraft, Magical Sickle: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 + (8) + 1 = 26. Emberchill, a +1 frost sickle. Immune to fire dmg.

Spellcraft, Magical Robe: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23;

Spellcraft, Unidentified wand: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24. Wand of ice spears (10 charges);
Spellcraft, Unidentified potion #3: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25. Potion of shield of faith x2

Items yet to be identified.

Spellcraft, (Unidentified) Efficient Quiver: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12, DC 24
Spellcraft, (Unidentified) Barkskin potion #1: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16. DC 17
Spellcraft, (Unidentified) Cure Moderate Wounds potion #2: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16. DC 17

Dang! Another efficient quiver? Had I known we would've found one later, I might could've saved some money. Sakitu, whenever that's identified, you might want that, they're awesome if you use a bow regularly...

GM: I don't think the owl figurine hasn't been identified either...

@Fin: That Serpentine Owl Figurine has been a thorn in my side.

So here's my list of things we need identify attempts at listed with the items are the DCs of those that I know about. I included the location we found the items without a DC listed for anything that hasn't been revealed OOC so that Lareg has an easier time tracking it down.

-Items needing spellcraft checks-
Serpentine Owl Figurine DC 26
Efficient Quiver DC 24
Bracer of Armor 1 of 3 DC 22
Elixir of Love DC 19
Hexing Doll DC 20
Barkskin Potion DC 17
Cure Moderate Wounds Potion DC 17
Silver necklace with a pearl pendant Location: Book #2, gremlins after the water piper in the forest.
Raven Amulet (Artrosa) Location: Book #3 Raven's Trials
Raven Amulet (Gold) Location: Book #3 Raven's Trials
Raven Amulet (Dragon) Location: Book #3 Raven's Trials

Thanks looking up the results of those spellcraft checks GM. If any other spellcaster wants to take a crack at it the info is here. I'll have Tez give it another shot after the morning comes and he can try again.

@GM I am assuming both these are good descriptions for both Emberchill and Hyperboreal Robe?

The robe is interesting. Not sure who has a cloak of resistance or a body slot open, but it gives a +2 res bonus to saving throws and does 1d6 cold damage to anything that hits with a natural attack.

If we're prioritizing who gets it I'd suggest one of the melee characters so either Tez, Bulvi, or Quasit. I would include Selena on that list, but let's be honest I would rather discourage her from getting into melee if possible. If nobody else wants it Tez will take it, but I won't think twice if Bulvi or Quasit wants to grab it provided they have the body slot open and don't already benefit from a resistance bonus.

We should definitely let Bulvi hang on to that Axe it's pretty nice, though.

The spoiler below is the last of Fin's pre-history, telling a bit of his journey/arrival to Heldren, where this adventure started...

I really enjoyed Maka's letter home to her Dad; thought I might include some of Fin's journal entries, every once in a long while, perhaps in the same style as that...although probably not as good...

@Quasit: Any more incoming stories from Quasit's past? I really enjoyed those too as you write very well...

@Tezuzu firewall at work blocks those links. I'll check them for Emberchill and robe at home. The spoiler I put up for the robe is copied from the AP. Emberchill I paraphrased from the AP so as long as the links match they should be fine.

Filled in the missing details from recent identify post. Provided DCs where missing.

Unidentified items

Silver necklace with a pearl pendant: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11 DC 16

Raven Amulet (Artrosa): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11 DC 26

Identified Items

Raven Amulet (Dragon): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24 DC 16; As Brooch of shielding

Raven Amulet (Gold): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25 DC 17; As Aegis of recovery.

@Quasit: Any more incoming stories from Quasit's past? I really enjoyed those too as you write very well...

Funny you should ask. I have an episode bubbling around in my brain right now, actually.

Quasit is wearing the Raven Amulet (Artrosa) right now, mostly as a trophy. So for Role-play purposes its hanging on her neck. But if it's actually a functional magical item, her neck slot is already taken by an Amulet of Natural Armor, so it'll either have to go in the bag or someone else can wear it.

The Artrosa amulet is the only one of the three Tez hasn’t figured out yet. So it’s probably fine till we identify it anyways.

If nobody has an interest in the hyperboreal robe after cleaning it throughly Tez will take it. I’m open to letting anyone else grab it if they want, but nobody seems to have shown much interest in it so far.

Looking forward to the next read Q. I have been enjoying everyone’s backstory writings here so far.

Busy weekend with the family. Hope to catch up tonight. Otherwise tomorrow for sure.

No worries, GM. Hope y’all had a fun weekend.

Going to work out a quick sketch of the area surrounding the hut. This isn't a part of the AP that includes a map so might get a bit messy. I'm pretty sure this whole part of the AP up Artrosa has no maps.

trolls or giants? Big difference.

Hey, I've used this map before myself in roll20. Hope you had a good weekend, GM.

Definitely would like to get clarification on the Trolls/Giant stuff. One is significantly scarier than the other. :)

Frost giants. My fault. I had trolls on the brain apparently.

You know in retrospect facing 8 CR 9 frost giants at level 7 is a lot less intimidating when you remember you have a CR 17 major artifact as an ally. ;)

Bit of a waste of a 3rd level spell and that potion, but I’m not complaining. This is a highly entertaining turn of events.

I wanted to warn you, but it's such a fun set up I couldn't spoil it.

Any of you connected to Bulvi? Noticed he hadn't posted since last week. I can send him a message, but figured I'd post here first.

I actually have no contacts outside the game. Sadly, being friendless is one trait I share with Selena.

Anybody here play ddo? I noticed they are continuing all adventures being free through next month as well. I might finally reach lvl 20 after a literal decade of trying.

Yeah take that giants!

Took Monday off so may get wrapped up with family stuff. I've been slacking on weekends but will try to get my rear online this weekend and Monday.

No worries, GM, you're doing awesome!

Yeah agreed

Yeah, no worries here. The pace is fine with me right now.

I set up an inventory sheet using the data that Tez so kindly compiled for us.

@GM could you please add that to the game header?

I set up an inventory sheet using the data that Tez so kindly compiled for us.

@GM could you please add that to the game header?

Thanks, Maka, that's awesome!

One change though (it's view only for me) is that the 10 +1 Cold Iron arrows went to Sakitu. Since my bow is already +1, the bonuses don't stack and they'd be no different than firing regular cold iron arrows for me...

Gave you permission to edit, anyone with the link should be able to request edit access.

I read in a book about Tolkien that this elvish with a v thing started with him. Same with dwarvish vs dwarfish. The english language convention before Tolkien had been elfish or elfin and the editors tried to get him to change it, but Tolkien stuck to his guns, god bless him. And because he's the godfather of most fantasy tropes, his formulations of the words became the new conventions.

I've read a lot of fantasy over the years and I do recall some calling it 'elfin' or 'elfen' but can't remember which books/authors they were...

What amazed me even more on Tolkien was that he wrote the Elvish language spoken in he LotR, Sindarin...it's one thing writing the fantasy novel that set the standard but developing a complete language to boot was just on another level...

That's another thing I liked about the Peter Jackson LotR movies; the actors spoke Elvish just as Tolkien developed it. They had folk teaching them the language; Liv Tyler said her favorite scenes were speaking Elvish with Viggo Mortenson...

As you probably know, Tolkien was a philologist at Oxford who specialized in Old English root languages, so he actually had been developing the Elf languages and alphabets since practically WWI just as a hobby project. His earliest stories were basically just little tales about elf history that came to him because he was developing this language, and the words and names he was inventing triggered images or personalities. He wrote the story of the Fall of Gondolin in the trenches, I believe. In much the same vein, he invented the word 'hobbit' one day just because it was a fun word, and it grew into the Bilbo Baggins story.

So naturally, his argument to the editors about the elvish vs elfish thing was 'these are MY elves, which are different from the Scandinavian fairy folk you're referencing'. And his dwarves were different from the nibelungen-style dwarves of German fairy tales. So his spelling reflected that difference.

Which reminds me that Tolkien was inventing the fantasy genre. Before him, fantasy novels were Edgar Rice Burroughs and Conan type stories. The whole quasi-Arthurian sword and sorcery tale with fey races was pretty much his invention, as near as I can tell. So amazing. I still read LotR and Silmarillion about once a year, just for the pure joy of it.

I still remember my introduction to Tolkien & Middle Earth; I was 13 and it was the first time my parents had ever left me alone at home overnight, it was a Friday. I was watching TV, CBS I think, when the Rankin-Bass cartoon version of The Hobbit came on; I was fascinated by it.

I had never read fantasy fiction before then, but the next morning, I got Dad to drive me to the local mall, and I bought The Hobbit in paperback and read it in less than a week. I lent it to my older brother who was visiting from Atlanta the next weekend, and he loved it. Christmas was only a week or so away and my brother gave me The Fellowship of the Ring as my present. I read it pretty quickly and then got the others in turn. I was hooked...

That led directly to many other fantasy/sci-fi novels: Brooks' The Sword of Shannara, Moorcock's eternal champion series (Corum, Elric, & Hawkmoon), Zelazny's Amber series, Herbert's Dune, and many others. It got my kids hooked on fantasy too; after showing them that same Hobbit cartoon, I read them the book over many bedtime readings and then did the same with Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain.

And all of that from a chance sighting of a cartoon that my Dad (he ruled the TV) would've never let me watch had he been home...

Which reminds me that Tolkien was inventing the fantasy genre.

Yep, his influence on fantasy fiction cannot be overstated...which makes me wonder what fantasy RPGs would look like if not for him. Elves, Half-Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Halflings all became staples of fantasy RPGs, not to mention creatures similar to Balrogs, Ents, and Nazgul. If not for Tolkien, would we even be playing Pathfinder or D&D today?

I still read LotR and Silmarillion about once a year, just for the pure joy of it.

That's awesome. When the Peter Jackson movies came out, I read where Christopher Lee mentioned he read LotR once a year as well. While I don't re-read them every year, I've read both the Hobbit and LotR numerous times and still find them entertaining reads...and sometimes pick up new insights, particularly on the characters...

Things certainly would be quite different if not for Tolkien. I believe the last fantasy book I read was the The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss the 2nd book in the 3 part King Killer Chronicles. I am still waiting for book 3 to get published nearly a decade later. :(

@Fin: You don't get a lot of use out of your ranger spells, but I figured you might take a fancy to the Blend spell if you haven't already seen it.

It's an elf only spell, lasts a good while, and boosts your stealth to another +4 making your minimum roll a terrifying 28 in your favored terrain. I thought it was worth a mention since your role as our sneaky scout is pretty well established.

I believe the last fantasy book I read was the The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss the 2nd book in the 3 part King Killer Chronicles. I am still waiting for book 3 to get published nearly a decade later. :(

Yeah, I feel your pain. I've been waiting that book for years as well...loved both Name of the Wind & Wise Man's Fear...and now nothing but crickets. Same thing with A Song of Ice & Fire; I don't think Martin will ever finish it...doubting that Rothfuss will either. I remember reading the Wheel of Time series by Jordan...took me 20+ years to finish that one...but it was 14 books, 15 if you include the sequel. Even then, Jordan died before it was finished but he took great notes and another author was able to finish it...

@Fin: You don't get a lot of use out of your ranger spells, but I figured you might take a fancy to the Blend spell if you haven't already seen it.

It's an elf only spell, lasts a good while, and boosts your stealth to another +4 making your minimum roll a terrifying 28 in your favored terrain. I thought it was worth a mention since your role as our sneaky scout is pretty well established.

Yeah, I really need to pay more attention...don't do much other than Gravity Bow and I've forgotten that several times. Thanks for head's up on Blend, was not familiar with it; I'll definitely start using it as I think I'm scouting more than I'm shooting...