Adventure Path Reign of Winter

Game Master Almonihah

Quasit tucks away her wand and gives the bodies of the soldiers a quick pat down, looking for any items of interest. Or a sandwich.

Did we find Nadya?

"Sorry Quasit. Although they've got many people far more qualified for this I'm fresh out of portals. As far as we know we're the best chance people have got... and that's just sad."

Quasit gives a weak sardonic chuckle and looks over at Bulvi. Then she she squints and takes a step toward him. "Hey, you're hurt too. You should have said something. We might be fighting more of those guys 5 minutes from now, we all need to be at full strength. Saki, you too, get your fluffy tail over here."

Quasit still looks a little awkward and stiff using the wand, but her confidence is clearly growing, and every other time she waves it, magic actually comes out.

GM, I'm going to dispense with the UMD checks while we're out of combat, just to expedite things, unless we are still in combat rounds unbeknownst to us.

Sakitu, I think you should actually be at 18 HP after the combat, since one of your 5 HP wounds was in the mistake round earlier.

Selena, Quasit can use the wand on you too if needed, but you seemed capable of healing yourself.

CLW to Buvi: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CLW to Sakitu: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

36 charges left

Sakitu turns around in a circle to look at her tail. "Is it more fluffy than normal?" she asks Quasit before she realizes it was just a figure of speech.

"You're getting pretty good with that wand. Thanks for the healing. Now, let's find Nadya and get out of here."

Quasit, I think you're right about my hp. I've edited my tagline.

"Thanks Quasit. I was a bit more worried about Selena than those cuts but you are right."

Nadya isn't hard to find, she is in the back room what passes for storage in the kitchen area, as well as a man in armor and a hammer off to the side out of his reach while he is bound and gagged as well

Quasit sighs heavily in relief on finding Nadya. She pulls out her dagger and cuts the woman free of her restraints. "Those soldiers won't be bothering you any more. Are you hurt? Can you walk? Because I think we're going to go off to that witch tower now, and we could use a guide."

Spotting the other individual, she regards him for a moment, then pulls away his gag.

"So what's your story, bub?"

She sits on a countertop and begins helping herself to some hard white cheese that happens to be laying nearby, shaving off slices with her dagger.

Bulvi will search the fallen soldiers for useful gear, keys and money.

those looking at the bound man, give me a perception and a knowledge religion check

Fin nods to Nadya. "Glad to see you unharmed, ma'am. I thank you for not giving me away earlier..."

He then takes a look at the bound man...

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Its not entirely hard to miss the holy symbol partially visible on the bound man

Knowledge religion ids it as a symbol of Apsu

Quasit takes note of the holy symbol, but doesn't know what it signifies. She continues to wait for the man to speak, nibbling cheese calmly.

As this group of strangers enters the room Tyrael just stairs at them in hopes that Apsu has sent them to help him. as this strange woman who looks like shes just old enough to be let out of the house for the first time walks over to him and removes the gag. "Thank you strangers my name is Tyrael. i was sent here by a calling from the god Apsu. He had shown me visions in my sleep of a place that needed my help. so i have traveled many days to get here when i arrived i saught shelter at the inn. while i was a enjoying a nice warm meal and some drink a man tried to get me to leave town. when i would not go he called a group of guards to come and arrest me. they bound me and brought me here saying that i was to wait here while they dealt with another group of new comers then we were to be transported to a tower."

as he says the last part he looks around at the group of strangers "i would guess you were the other group. Well i have told you my name who might you all be strangers?"

"Well Tyrael, my name's Mina, but everyone just calls me Quasit. I suppose that's what you'll see on the Wanted Posters around here anyway. That's Bulvi, and that's Findurel," she says, pointing to a big armored human and an elf in a green cloak in turn. "Sakitu and Selena are in the other room."

She shoves the remainder of a slice of cheese in her mouth, then continues talking with her mouth full. "Apsu, huh? I've never heard of him. Is he a god of dreams, like Desna?"

Quasit looks around the kitchen to see if they actually have any ale or brandy, in spite of what the innkeeper's wife had said earlier.

Quasit turns the kitchen and the storage room upside down looking, and comes up with bupkis for Ale or Brandy

Sakitu wanders to the back room where the others seem to be congregating. "Well. Are we going? I don't really want to stay here much longer." She looks at the man tied up in the corner. "Who's he?"

"no Quasit Apsu is a God of dragons and law and good. It is said that he was the first dragon and that he is the maker of all."

As sakitu enters the room and asks her question.
"excuse me my name is tyrael. Where happen are you all off to?"

As he looks around "may I ask that someone please untie me."

"Well, if dragons are telling you to do something, I guess you have to listen, huh?" says Quasit with a smirk. She comes over and cuts Tyrael's bonds. "Maybe I shouldn't be telling you all this, but everyone seems to know about us already anyway. So, we came here through a magical portal from Taldor actually. We've been told that the current Queen of Irrisen is embarked on a scheme of opening magical winter portals all over Golarian and plunging the world into perpetual winter. And that she's somehow banished Baba Yaga to make that happen. So, like a bunch of fools, we decided we should come here and try to stop it. No problem right?"

"Our next stop is to go to the local witch's tower and try to shut down the portal we came through, which is turning Taldor's summer into a winter wonderland. And these soldiers worked for her, and showed up looking for us as soon as we got to town, so she seems to know we're coming. So we're doomed basically." She shoves more cheese in her mouth, then looks back over toward Bulvi. "This isn't bad. You want some?"

Items from the fight that you can get are as follows:

2 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
7 Potion of Endure Elements
1 Potion of Interrogation
2 Screaming Bolts
1 Attentive Mirror

Well I think we should all grab an Endure Elements potion (including one for Nadya) and I’d like to grab a potion of CLW as a front-liner, if no one objects.

Selena takes the mirror and wraps it up very well and grabs the potion of interogation and the screaming bolts along with whatever the guards would fire them with.

Then heads back to where Nadya is to ask a question only to find a bound man.

Turning to Nadya she asks, "Any smiths here with lead or a lead lined case perhaps? And who is he? Doesn't look like the other guards." finishing her question with an appraising glance of the man that feels cold in a way.
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
k religion capped at 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"thank you for releasing me from those bonds." Tyrael move over and collects his things. Once he has all of his gear he turns back to the group shouldering his hammer and taking a knee.
"well if you are doomed like you say would you mind if i added my skills to your little group and help you stop this tragedy that befalls this land and threatens our homes?"

Sakitu nods while Quasit sums up their experience. She keeps an eye on Tyrael hoping to notice if he's a traitor or a spy, not that she's know what that looked like.

"Sure, we'd be happy to have you join us." she replies instinctively when he offers.

I'll take an endure elements. Probably Bulvi should take the other CLW potion.

"Selena, this is Tyrael. He's a cleric of dragons and law and goodness. So he says."
"Tyrael, this is Selena. She a white witch noblewoman. So she says."

"Well Tyrael, as far as I'm concerned, anyone who's being tied up by the soldiers of the evil witch running this neck of the snowy woods can't be all bad. If you're crazy enough to want to tag along, I'm not gonna stop you. But you did hear the part where I told you this was stupid and hopeless, right? Which means that I'm officially reserving the right to tell you 'I told you so' once we're all dead." She gives him a friendly bump on the arm. "Welcome aboard." She looks around at the others. "Assuming no one has any objections?"

"I wouldn't object to more help, we're in well over our heads as I said." Bulvi takes one of the potions of cure light wounds and one of endure elements.

Fin will take one of the Endure Elements potions....

"Aye, I'd not object to any help, either....but considering our history, be forewarned that we seem to be star-crossed....

"So, Nadya, what would you suggest we do next?"

Quasit, noticed you've been using UMD to operate the wand of CLW....as a ranger, I can activate it when needed...

Quasit, noticed you've been using UMD to operate the wand of CLW....as a ranger, I can activate it when needed...

As a player I know that. I'm not sure Quasit is aware of that. Though it wouldn't surprise her since elves are magical beings to her. :)

There are also character reasons why Quasit is employing the wand. Without getting too meta about characters, it strokes her ego to be able to work a magical wand of any kind. But if Findurel wanted to lay claim to the wand as a more efficient wielder of it, she wouldn't object, if he asked her nicely.

Oh, no worries...Fin will only use it in emergencies...aka if Quasit fails her UMD attempt...and he will ask nicely...

Nadya speaks up to the group "I suggest making any final preparations, snow shoes will help speed up the trek, it's about 6 miles to the pale tower from here, most of the guards have probably left by now, the only ones that should be here are the normal town guard. Meet me by the main gate when you are ready and we'll begin the trek"

Quasit stops listening after Nadya says '6 miles'. She shuts her eyes and groans, imagining the long hike through driving snow. To go face an evil witch and her armies of lackeys. This day just kept getting longer and longer.

"I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be," she says wearily. She shoves the rest of the cheese she's been eating into her pack and gets ready to leave the inn.

"So Tyrael, tell me more about Apsu. I'm not the most religious person in the world, but I'm surprised I haven't heard of him. How did you come to be a cleric of his, another vision? I've never actually had a vision, but I've kinda always wanted to. What's that like? Are the visions, like, a dream or an ecstatic fit, or what?"

Once we're ready to go, Quasit will drink her Potion of Endure Elements

Bulvi smiles quietly for a little while as he watches Quasit talks Tyrael's ear off. Bulvi leans against the wall. He leans over and whispers to Sakitu "I love when she gets all worked up, she'll be busy for a bit riffling around in his brain."

Ready to move on.

Sakitu giggles at Bulvi. "She does get a little crazy sometimes."

I'm ready too.

As Tyrael listens to Quasit he checks his pack and his equipment getting ready to head out on this journey. he winces every time he hears her call him a cleric, but he doesn't think that her little brain knows the difference.
"well Quasit it is uncommon for any non-dragons to follow Apsu as it is mostly metallic Dragons that warship him. however i was indirectly saved by Apsu." Tryael pauses for a moment and his eyes kinda go distant as he starts to tell his story."the small town that i grew up was raided and destroyed by a Red dragon. on that day i looked up into the sky and called out to whatever god or gods that would listen to come and save us from this evil. when i looked back up there was a second dragon that showed up. it was a beautiful site shining gold in the light of the sun. i found myself staring at this majestic beauty in the sky. as my home was destroyed and most of the people were killed i prayed to this majestic gold figure in the sky that it would save what was left of us and it did. in a fierce battle it fought the other dragon driving it off. i called out to ask its name and to thank it for saving us. the only answer i got was Apsu sent me. so from that day forward i swore a oath to Apsu to follow his ways and his teachings." pausing to get a grip on his emotions as he relays his story to the eager and all questioning Quasit. he brings himself back to reality and current situation "well Quasit if that time comes where i lives are forfeit i will welcome the "i told you so comment" he kinda chuckles with this statement. "well i am ready if everyone here is ready to get this trip under way."

Tryael pauses for a moment and his eyes kinda go distant as he starts to tell his story."the small town that i grew up was raided and destroyed by a Red dragon. on that day i looked up into the sky and called out to whatever god or gods that would listen to come and save us from this evil. when i looked back up there was a second dragon that showed up. it was a beautiful site shining gold in the light of the sun. i found myself staring at this majestic beauty in the sky. as my home was destroyed and most of the people were killed i prayed to this majestic gold figure in the sky that it would save what was left of us and it did. in a fierce battle it fought the other dragon driving it off. i called out to ask its name and to thank it for saving us. the only answer i got was Apsu sent me. so from that day forward i swore a oath to Apsu to follow his ways and his teachings."

"Iomedae's britches... that's an amazing story." says Quasit with obvious empathy in her voice. "Yeah, I can't think of a better reason to worship a god than he saved you from annihilation. Too bad he couldn't have sent that good dragon 15 minutes sooner, huh?" She stops herself and winces. "Sorry. That was a dumb thing to say."

She processes the story for a moment, and seems on the verge of saying more, but seems to decide against it. Instead she shrugs her shoulders and scratches her cheek.

"I of course like to give all the gods their due, so they don't murder me by mistake. I give Desna special attention because she gives me luck during card games sometimes." She smirks at this, then cocks her head, and says more. "No, it's more than that, if I'm being honest. I've spent a lot of time close to the edge, in a lot of ways. I like to think Desna understands, even if most people don't. I feel like she has my back."

as everyone makes their preparations, Nadya starts to lead you towards the pale tower, athe ever so exciting 6 mile hike that Quasit has always wanted.

a few hours out from the town, nothing seems to really happen, cold wind, snow blowing in your face, lack of noticeable creatures around. As you carry on you do run into what looks like a rather large shape.

but as you notice it, it notices you, and lets out a hungry bellowing roar

Slide 6 on map updated for fight

Please note that unless you have snow shoes this is difficult terrain

~Round 1~
Knowledge Nature to ID
Findurel
Tyrael
Selena
GM
Quasit
Sakitu
Bulvi

Tyrael will move 30'and ready his weapon.

"well i guess we have some things in our way to stop us from reaching our destination. lets not let this slow us down."

Fin fires a couple arrows at the creature...

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 = 13

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 = 26

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Quasit had been trudging along in the middle of the group, head down, uncharacteristically quiet, lost in her thoughts, when the roaring creature breaks into her thoughts. She looks up, startled, and her hand instinctively reaches for her sword. But she hesitates, squinting through the snow, trying to see whatever sort of animal this is.

"Maybe we can just scare it off... maybe we don't have to kill it? she says quietly, hopefully, half to herself.

Not trying to jump the gun, just throwing a little color into things until my turn comes up.

one of Fins arrows misses the fuzzy furry animal, but the other sinks right into its back, and you all feel the pain as when it hits, the animal lets out a furious bellow that echos through the woods

Tyrael moves closer and readies his hammer

however trying to deter the creature has just pissed it off and goes from hungry to pissed and hungry as it starts to come at the group

coming to swing at the first creature it comes to Tyrael will get his readied action on the creature

Claw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Grapple: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20 which grapples him

~Round 1~
Knowledge Nature to ID
Findurel
Tyrael
GM -7
Selena - delay
Quasit
Sakitu
Bulvi

Fin tries to ID the creature...

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

ready atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
dam: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

Fin you are able to ID this only as a Polar Bear

"Well, Quasit, I don't think we have much choice anymore." Sakitu moves to the side and pulls out her shortbow. As she nocks an arrow she allows a small part of her magical nature seep into the arrows.

Move action: move, standard action: cold steel

"Indeed. Quit your whimpering and help." says Selena as she pulls out her long spear, steps forward and stabs at the bear.

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Quasit moves, circling the bear warily, looking for an opening...

Double Move, staying out of threatened squares to avoid AoOs

Seeing the bear mauling there newest associate Bulvi charges forward and slashes the bear across it's side with considerable force despite it's thick hide. "At least it's not another weasel!"

Power Attack Cold Iron Longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

@Quasit, it's grappling so no AOO, want to move in and get a flanking sneak attack off?

bulvi and tyrael both hit the creature

~Round 2~
Findurel
Tyrael
Polar Bear -23
Selena - delay
Quasit
Sakitu
Bulvi

@Quasit, it's grappling so no AOO, want to move in and get a flanking sneak attack off?

That's the plan. :)

Findurêl will move 15' NW and fire at the polar bear...

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 16

Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6