Adventure Path Reign of Winter

Game Master Almonihah

"Sounds like I missed some excitement last night. I slept like a rock and didn't hear a thing. But you guys said there was a boat on the river? And it crashed?"

"Well... all we knew last night was that there was a crashing sound and a light by the river. But it looks like it may actually have been a boat. We'll check it out."

She pulls one of the apples she bought yesterday from a little sack she's just lung over her shoulder. "Want an apple?" she offers.

Selena yawns as she packs up her stuff. "A boat on the river. Hmm, well it could be a stalker. Sakitu is cute enough for a few crazy stalkers to chase her around." Selena smiles at Saki.

Sakitu happily takes the fish from Fin and the apple from Quasit. She nearly bites the apple in half with her first bite. "I'm so hungry!" she says around a mouthful.

She glances up the river towards the boat. "So I guess we go check it out?" Selena's words sink in a moment later. "Wait? What? Stalkers? You think someone is stalking me?" Her eyes grow wide and casts glances to the boat and back to the scraggly trees.

Tezuzu scoffs "Selena stop teasing Sakitu." as his small hut collapses and the magic waning as dawn breaks. Adding to Sakitu "I am sure there are no stalkers following you, despite your cuteness."

He will spend a short period in the morning preparing new spells and performing a complex ritual.

Looking quite tired the black birdman adds "I am not sure who would travel at night, but there are plenty of creatures who can see fine in the dark...aside from my lack of sailing experience were the moon out I could see myself on that boat." Breathing a bit heavy Tezuzu asks wearily "If I might ask favor that we take our time breaking camp and heading there to investigate? My energy is quite sapped after my morning preparation"

As the group closes distance the boat comes into view. Clearly constructed for river travel, the vessel is stuck amidst freshly broken ice. One man in finer clothing is struggling to hold a tarp over whatever is loaded on the boat. Another, who looks much more at home on the vessel is attempting to use a large pole to push the boat loose.

Though the group can see the dangerous terrain Findurel was referring to, the morning light has already begun to thaw the thin layer of ice that covered the rock. The water that surges periodically over the rocky surrounds as the river turns is speeding the thawing process.

Make way over the rocks or take a wider route to avoid them?

"Yeah, looks like they're in trouble." says Quasit. She musses her hair, but quickly comes to a decision.

"OK guys, we're gonna try and help these guys. If they ask what we're doing out here, we're just traveling merchants."

Quasit comes out of the trees and comes as close the the rocky icy shallows as she can without actually entering it. She waves broadly and calls out to the boatmen.

"Hello!" she shouts out over the rushing water. "Hello! Are you in trouble? Do you need help?"

If we're still too far away to hear one another, I'm hoping we can at least gesture our willingness to help and they can give us a thumbs up or thumbs down. No sense risking our necks if they don't even want us approaching.

Although the pair can't hear Quasit from the distance, as she is gesturing a strong wind catching a corner of the tarp the one individual is trying to hold down. They turn to move to now unsecured section of the tarp and notice the Quasit and the others in the distance. As the unsecured tarp flaps, everyone can see what appears to be furniture and other fashionable home fixtures. The morning light reflects off of one of the items.

As soon as the individual secures the tarp, they wave their hands to make sure the party sees them. Once they can tell someone from the party is looking in their direction, they make a 'come this way' motion with their hands. You can tell that the individual wrestling with the tarp has gotten the other individuals attention, as they turn from trying to maneuver the boat free with their pole to look in the direction of the party.

Is the difficult terrain due to icy surfaces or something else?

"Quasit, it looks like they want us to come out to help them."

Is there a path to walk out to the boat on the ice?

"Quasit, it looks like they want us to come out to help them."

"It sure does. Ok, this footing looks crazy treacherous, and the last thing we want is fall in and get washed away in a freezing river."

"Fin, you and I are gonna make our way out to them, and we're gonna tie ropes around our waists, and I want Bulvi and Maka here on shore holding the other ends. Everyone else hang back and be ready to help if things get more complicated. We'll try and throw them a grappling hook and tow them in off that ice."

GM, I'm really not sure of the scale of the distance here and whether this plan is feasible. But it seems like a good start.

Yes, plan is doable. Do you all want a map? Currently the party is at the bend in the river. The boat itself is to the west roughly 500 feet. Current obstacle is the rock / ice around the river bend where the party is. Rocks are difficult terrain. If rock has ice on it there is a chance of falling (Ref Sv). From what you can tell from this distance the shore nearest the boat looks solidly frozen. It is the broken ice around the boat that seems to be keeping it from moving.

Ah, I think I understand. Get around the difficult terrain (ice/rocks) then move to where we can human chain/rope squad our way to the boat. Let's get Maka, Fin, Bulvi and Quasit to the strike point as quick as possible over the difficult ground, and the others take the safer longer way around. Once we get ready to tug the boat to safety, perhaps Erdija can be the anchor on our tug-o-war team too.

A map might be helpful, since spacing may matter as we attempt this.

Maka wrapped the rope around her waist and dug her cleats in to brace herself. "Don't worry, if you do fall in I'll just fly over and get you."

Fin nods to Quasit. "On it, Q...with your permission, I'll go first...as I go, try to follow in my footsteps, as long as you don't see me make a misstep. When I get closer to the boat, I'll toss my rope with grappling hook to the boat..."

He starts to make his way across...

Put a couple of reflex saves below, if/when needed...

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

If Fin makes it across the rocks and gets close enough to the boat, he'll launch his grappling hook with the rope attached...

Grappling Hook: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Tezuzu whispers to Quasit and Findurel "The portents of my divination last night gave signs of both danger and benefit. That typically can often mean conflict with reward...be careful...I can fly to accompany you if you like, but I would hate to waste my magic so frivolously over some mere slippery rocks."

Sense Motive, man motioning for us to come closer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Findurel easily navigates the rocks.

Map up. Squares are 10 feet. Scale isn't exactly right, but figured speed was more important the accuracy. Tokens are near the rocks in question.

Selena sighs, "Always the hard way with you folks."

Selena ignores Fin's lead and walks off across the ice and rocks blinking from place to place, pausing long enough to find a good next spot and to check the boat folks whom she doesn't trust yet to not be a trap.

Selena, to clarify you are blinking how far ahead? I'm assuming this is a spell. Would you note the duration please.

Dimension Slide, an Arcanist exploit. I can teleport up to 50' as part of a move action counting as only 5' of movement. Each jump actually takes an arcane point (of which I have 5 by default), the "blinking" should actually be considered more flavorful description. I think I just got a bit too used to my other character's SoP ability to do the same at will and fell into incorrect description. :)

Tezuzu whispers to Quasit and Findurel "..I can fly to accompany you if you like, but I would hate to waste my magic so frivolously over some mere slippery rocks."

"I'm counting on that. You're the back-up plan if the easy way doesn't work."

Fin nods to Quasit. "On it, Q...with your permission, I'll go first...as I go, try to follow in my footsteps, as long as you don't see me make a misstep. When I get closer to the boat, I'll toss my rope with grappling hook to the boat..."

"Got it." agrees Quasit.

I'll do some pre-emptive reflex saves too

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Selena sighs, "Always the hard way with you folks."

Selena ignores Fin's lead and walks off across the ice and rocks blinking from place to place, pausing long enough to find a good next spot ...

"What the heck is she doing?" growls Quasit impatiently under her breath.

Tezuzu shrugs incredulously "Perhaps she tires of that pint-sized form and wants to try her luck at a new body?"

After slipping out of view and back into view fifty, one-hundred feet and then one-hundred fifty feet ahead of the group, Selena slips into the frigged water.

Round based actions at this point due to the risk of drowning / hypothermia. Selena can make a concentration check to attempt to use Dimension step to escape from the cold water (DC 17). 6 hp nonlethal damage, only 2 of which get through cold resistance. Currently Selena is not in danger of drowning (characters can hold breath for two times CON, 12 times 2 (24) in this case).

As Selena slides herself into the river, Quasit just closes her eyes and turns her face to heaven, shaking her head slightly.

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry." she says to those around her. "I mean, that's just embarrassing."

"Fin, you keep going toward the boat, I'll try and throw a rope to Selena and pull her out."

Fin nods to Quasit. "Roger that, Q...but she's a good distance out...perhaps Tez could fly out there and pick up our recalcitrant halfling? Or perhaps drop her a rope and tow her back to shore?"

He then lowers his voice to Quasit, whispering, "I think I prefer the hard way, Q..."

Fin then turns and continues on...

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

"You are afraid of slipping? I'm not. I can walk on ice just fine." Sakitu watches Selena jump through space fifty feet at a time. "Uh. I don't think that's going to keep her from slip..." Just as she says it, Selena slips and falls into the water.

"Oh no! Selena, I'm coming."

Sakitu races across the icy rocks to get to Selena.

I have a supernatural ability called Icewalker which means I can walk on ice without slipping. Not sure how far I can go on the rocks in one round.

"Selena!" Maka shouted as the halfling fell into the water. It was clear that Maka wanted to rush forward, but she remained dug in to provide support to Fin and Q. "Hold On, Saki is coming! Tez, which of us should fly over!?"

And then Sakitu is running past. Quasit's eyes snap open.

"Dang it, this is JUST what I was trying to avoid!" she says, throwing up her hands in exasperation, mostly to herself. Her voice is now laced with worry for Sakitu. She watches with growing worry as her friend skips lightly over the treacherous ice.

"I can't watch." she says, and stands with her eyes riveted to Sakitu. In spite of her stated intention of moving to help Selena, for the moment she just holds her ground and whimpers.

Gonna give Selena a round to boop herself out of the water

Findurel moves forward easily.

Sakitu you can go a double move. Is your normal move 30? If that is the case you can go 60, which would get you right to where Selena fell.

Since everyone is crossing the icy path might as well join in...

"Hold On, Saki is coming! Tez, which of us should fly over!?"

Tezuzu looks up confused "Wait?! You can fly too?"

"....well I guess since the plan has deviated it is time for for a little improvisation. Go help her, I guess. Bulvi and I shall join you soon."

Tezuzu will then turn to Bulvi and whisper an incantation touching his claw to his shoulder a surge of strength flowing into Ulfen man. (Bulls Strength, +4 enhancement to STR)

Looking at Bulvi he asks "Well the rest are crossing the ice. I think we would feel left out if we did not join in. But, we should do it smarter, yes? You know how yesterday you offered to give out piggyback rides? How would feel about repeating that, but this time we fly?"

Tezuzu will Touch Bulvi on the shoulder again granting him the power of flight. He will hop on Bulvi's back assuming no objections as such the duo should coast past the treacherous terrain with ease.

Should bring his STR up to 20 with bulls strength. Carrying Tezuzu should put him into a medium load at best or a heavy load at worst carry capacity up to 400lbs. As long as he doesn't get fancy with maneuvers or stop to hover we shouldn't need a fly check and the range is 5000ft+ for the duration with a fly speed of 40ft.

How much further to the boat? If close enough, she'll just jump there, if not she'll climb out or along the ice (depending on which is possible/reasonable) to get close enough.

Swim: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Selena's head pops out of the water with a gasp, and she immediately turns and yells "No laughing!" seemingly unaware of what exactly everyone said while she was under. Also, seemingly undisturbed by the cold.

I could be wrong, but I was thinking the boat was stuck in the river due to ice floes...I didn't think the river itself was all frozen over enough where we could necessarily just walk right up to it. I thought we had to get to closest point on the shore, wade out close enough to put a grappling hook to it, and then pull it loose. Is that not right?

Seeing the chaos that has become of Quasit's plan, which he felt was a good one, Fin recalls an old Elven adage: A plan never survives first contact with an enemy...he then ponders whether there should be an amendment added to that, such as, ...or a friend...

Seeing that Selena appears to have all the help she needs, Fin looks to Quasit, gently saying, "You need to get up, Q...Saki will be all right...she seems to move better on ice than all of us. Selena appears no worse for the wear; I wonder why she doesn't just blink out of the water but, then again, I know little of the arcane. We need to keep moving. Be careful though, Tez took one of our anchors..."

Reflex: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Reflex: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Selena is able to swim to the surface and make her way to a section of ice. Str, Selena: 1d20 ⇒ 4. She is unable to climb out of the icy water. Additional 6 hp of non lethal from cold. Only 2 hp makes it through resistance. Total 4 hp non lethal.

Boat is an additional 350 feet from where Selena fell. Findurel is correct. As in the section of the river on the map, the river is free flowing water in the middle with partially thawed ice closest to the shore.

Thanks for the clarification, GM. Are we past the stretch of rocky ice yet? Do we still need to be making Reflex saves once we're past that portion?

Seeing that Selena appears to have all the help she needs, Fin looks to Quasit, gently saying, "You need to get up, Q...Saki will be all right...she seems to move better on ice than all of us. Selena appears no worse for the wear; I wonder why she doesn't just blink out of the water but, then again, I know little of the arcane. We need to keep moving. Be careful though, Tez took one of our anchors..."

"Wow. I bet Saki would have made a great roof runner. I have a whole new reason to be jealous of her." says Quasit as she watches the kitsune nimbly glide over the ice. "But if that ice breaks, we're going to have two people to fish out."

And then Tez and Bulvi are flying overhead. She sighs and her shoulders slump. "What a fiasco."

Quasit keeps moving toward the boat, but more slowly now, watching her footing but also watching the halfling-rescue.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

And then Tez and Bulvi are flying overhead. She sighs and her shoulders slump. "What a fiasco."

Fin nods. "Aye...but 'tweren't your fault Q. Your plan was solid...it just wasn't followed...now the folk in the boat may have to come to our rescue..."

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Boots of the winterland let Maka walk on snow and ice as normal terrain. Flame Jet

As Bulfi and Tez lifted off, Maka took off running, user bursts of fire to shoot herself forward.

Fin grimaces. How many of us does it take to pull one halfling from the river?

"We just lost our other anchor, Q. Be careful...if you slip, I can pull you up...if I slip, I fear I might drag you down with me..."

He turns and yells to the Centaur. "Erdija, do you mind going the long way around? You can travel much faster that way and will likely beat us there..."

Findurel navigates the last of the icy rock right near Sakitu. Maka flames up to close the distance quickly. Moving in a straight line she ends up twenty feet north of Findurel on solid ground. Sakitu easily makes it near where Selena is attempting to climb out. The rest of the group is thirty feet behind making their way through the last of the icy rock area which is now completely cleared due to the sudden heat from Maka.

Yes, 30 feet.

Sakitu arrives at the spot where Selena fell in. Her dark head pops up out of the water and Selena tries to climb up and out. Unable to get a good grip on the rocks, she can't get out.

"Here, grab this." Sakitu unslings the bow from her shoulder and uses it like a staff to give Selena something to hold onto. She drags Selena closer to the rocks and then, down on hands and knees, she reaches her hand down to help pull her wet companion out of the water.

Str, Selena: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Str, Sakitu: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1 Sakitu is unable to help Selena out of the water and nearly falls in as she looses grip of her bow. Selena is left in the water holding Sakitu's bow. Selena takes another 6 hp of cold damage. Only 2 hp bypass resistance. Total 6 hp non lethal damage

Fin yells loudly, while instinctively drawing his bow, "SELENA! SAKI! SOMETHING IN THE WATER APPROACHES!"

Fin will try to identify what lurks in the water...

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

If he has a shot, Fin will fire if the creature attacks his friends...

GM: Is Fin close enough to try to attempt to pull Selena from the river?

Maka continued to run and blast her way across the ice, racing to get to Saki and Selena as Fin shouted a warning.

When Bulvi offers Sakitu a ride Tezuzu will chime in ”The lot of you are still quite young I doubt you have to deal with the pains of old bones, but if your offer is not exclusive to the pretty young ladies in our group I would be delighted to give my old bird bones a break if I could get a turn. My bones would thank you and I am quite a bit lighter than I look.”

"Of course if you need a break. Neither of your are weighed down with a lot of gear. I'll consider it training." Bulvi smiled, though he rolled his eyes at Quasit.

-----------------------------------------

Bulvi started to soar above the ground with Tez on his back. Raising an eyebrow he turns his head to the other man "Any chance you have some rope... we might be able to haul her out of their quite easily now between your magic and my muscles!"

Quasit can only watch in growing stupefaction as the situation continues to spiral out of control.

Fin yells loudly, while instinctively drawing his bow, "SELENA! SAKI! SOMETHING IN THE WATER APPROACHES!"

Sakitu immediately starts scanning the water. "Where?" she hollers back to Fin. Turning her attention back to Selena she urges her to hurry. "Selena, you heard Fin. Hurry." Sakitu lays down on the rock to keep herself from slipping and reaches for Selena again.

STR: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Selena, Str: 1d20 ⇒ 13 With Sakitu's help Selena is able to climb onto more solid ice just as an icy looking creature bursts from beneath the water.

Round One: Findurel and Sakitu are up. Selena is currently prone, but also up.

I'll try to get a map up during lunch. Ice creature is twenty feet from shore, directly in front of Sakitu. Findurel is five feet from Sakitu. Maka is ten feet from Sakitu. Everyone else is twenty feet away.

Seeing the creature fully emerge, Fin tries to recall if he's familiar with the beast...

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

...but he's clearly never seen it before. Nevertheless, he unleashes a rain of cold iron towards it, hoping to buy some time for Sakitu and Selena to get clear...

Longbow (Manyshot): 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 31
Confirm: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 3 = 32
Magic/Cold Iron/Critical Damage: 3d8 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4, 1) + 3 + 3 + 3 + 12 = 32
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 12

Longbow (Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 23
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 11

Longbow (Iterative): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 15
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 9

...and then moves 5' back, yelling, "SAKI...SELENA...RUN!"

The creature bursts apart under the onslaught of arrows.

Round One: Sakitu is up. Selena is currently prone, but also up.

Map is up. Ignore the 'circle: creature' as Find just obliterated it.

Relieved to see that creature fall, there's no chance to relax as Fin realizes there's another creature under the river surface. He yells once more, "BEWARE! ANOTHER IS BELOW!"