Adventure Path Reign of Winter

Game Master Almonihah

they look human, maybe late 20's, possibly 30's, on the two that you see, you can see a short blade, and bows, and it looks like they are patrolling the room, though don't seem to be leaving it and are not to bothered that if they see you they have left you alone

Fin will sneak back to the party to relate what he's seen...

"No sign of fey...armed humans that appear to be guards patrolling the main lodge...they could be guarding the missing lady...

Or could it possibly be an illusion? Perhaps a trap set by the fey since reports have them as being involved? How do you wish to proceed?"

"I believe there is a good chance the missing lady is held here somewhere. We need to investigate."

"I believe there is a good chance the missing lady is held here somewhere. We need to investigate."

"If they took our missing Lady, investigate might not be the best choice of wording. While that may be the result I want, and you want, it probably won't work out that way, given that the group already lost a member, and we have come under attack already. Yes, I know, I don't like to fight, but this adventure has shown that sometimes violence may be the proper answer." Ibona states, hoping for a better outcome that what will probably happen.

"I don't like the idea of just bursting in there and attacking but we can't just sit back and do nothing. Trying to open diplomacy is a questionable prospect. Bursting in and demanding to be allowed check the area might work, a bit aggressive but we need to know. Weapons out and ready for action, perhaps the more covert of us hiding, there's no reason to suspect they know our numbers. There is a chance this is unrelated, going in arrows flying might be something we regret but blades drawn isn't out of the question given what we have seen." He shifted uncomfortably, it would have been so much easier if they knew they were fey.

Sakitu clears her throat timidly. "I have an idea," she says.

"Maybe I can approach the house directly and knock on the door. When they answer I can tell them that my friend is injured in the woods, his leg caught under a log or something, and implore someone to come help. I'll let them back to an ambush where we capture and question the person."

Sakitu finds herself shocked that she would even suggest something so bold. On the other hand, the spirit of adventure seems to be stirring the blood in her veins. She transforms from her hybrid fox form into her human woman form.

"I think I can convince them that I'm harmless and just need their help."

Quasit listens to the others, then throws in her two coppers worth.

"I think this is pretty encouraging actually. The fact that there are guys patrolling around inside there tells us these aren't just a bunch of Taldan noble yahoos lying around in their hunting lodge. I think we can safely assume these are our guys."

"So, going up and knocking on the door is out of the question. And we can't just burn the place down, because Lady Fancypants might be in there. So we can either rush the door, and have our lead person possibly take a couple crossbow bolts in the chest, or we can try and sneak in there. I vote for the latter."

Quasit pulls out her dagger and draws the lodge into the snow.

"OK, so, we have two sets of doors, and lots of windows. They're patrolling around because they can't watch everywhere at once. I bet we can find a window they aren't watching, maybe one that goes into a bedroom area or something, and I bet I can get it open. Then we really have a chance to catch them off guard and maybe avoid any nasty surprises they have on the doors. I say we come around to the north side of the building and check the windows there. Then crawl in quietly and give them heck by the bucketful."

She plants her dagger in the middle of her crude drawing, and looks around for reactions, obviously very pleased with herself.

Bulvi scowls a little and shakes his head at Sakitu's suggestion. "Its too much of a risk, especially when they likely are enemies. I doubt they'd help you and they almost certainly will hurt you."

"I can try to sneak up but-"[b] He looks down at his gear [b]"I'm not really equipped for it. I can try but if we do decide to do the opening the door plan I'll open it and hopefully avoid the crossbow bolts."

"I can try to sneak up but-" He looks down at his gear "I'm not really equipped for it. I can try but if we do decide to do the opening the door plan I'll open it and hopefully avoid the crossbow bolts."

Quasit shrugs.

"We can do both. In fact coming at them from different directions only helps us. Those who feel comfortable sneaking can sneak into the lodge, and the rest of you can wait by the door and burst in. The only trick would be coordinating it right. Shouldn't be too hard. You just wait here, and as the last of us is climbing in the window, we can wave to you, then you can run up to the door and kick it in with a yell or something. Then the rest of us burst out of the side room. After that it'll probably get crazy, but there's no avoiding that."

"Sounds like a plan. Crazy, stupid, but bold. Will it work? Probably not. However, I will stick with Bulvi with the second wand and keep him cured up and fighting, as I'm not much use with a weapon, and average at best at hiding and sneaking." I pat him on the shoulder. "Besides, this big guy here can make a nice shield for poor old me!"

Fin shrugs. "I'm game...do you want me sneaking in or providing cover for the ones who'll be charging through the front door?"

"Do we really want to split up? Remember what happened last time..."

"It'll be fine Alex. This time WE'LL be the zombies jumping out of the closet. They won't know what hit 'em." says Quasit. Then she looks to Findurel.

"Everyone here knows they're strengths and how they can be most effective. Fin, you pick where you wanna go. But our goal should be to all get inside quick and take those guys out before they can organize a decent defense."

"Oh, and if anyone is feeling squeamish about running in there and executing those bastards, just take a moment to remember Yu. And remember how much chance he had to resist or surrender. And remember too, they have a potential hostage in there. The faster we take them down, the better chance we have to get to her before they decide to use her or hurt her."

GM, is it day or night?

My plan is to Stealth six squares west and peek in the window. If that room looks clear, I'd like to see if the window is able to be opened. If its latched or shuttered, I'd like to try a Disable Device check to get it open, hopefully as quietly as possible. Then climb in with Team Sneaky and signal Team Not Sneaky once we're in position.

Let me know what rolls you'd like and when you'd like them once we begin moving.

I would say its more early after noon, though you won't be able to open the windows on the side of the building closest to you, and this of course is not a bad idea, but they were smart enough to seal it and such on their side

"I think this plan will work." Quietly Sakitu casts mage armor on herself. "I think I'll stay with the group going through the window. That is, if we can find a window to go through."

Bulvi tries to give Alexia a reasuring smile before addressing the group. "Any loud noise and I'll come running... do we know if that door is locked, it might not even have a lock in such an isolated spot. If the door will not open we can get the windows."

"That said when I am going through first I want everyone at least ten feet behind me. I'm not forgetting the surprise the snowman had and if it's going to trigger a trap that will blow up in my face I would rather no one else be caught in the blast this time."

Bulvi tries to give Alexia a reasuring smile before addressing the group. "Any loud noise and I'll come running... do we know if that door is locked, it might not even have a lock in such an isolated spot. If the door will not open we can get the windows."

"I'll check it on my way to the window,"says Quasit.

Quasit looks around for a moment, then flits toward the lodge, coming up to the door.

Taking 10 on a Stealth check: 10+8=18

She examines the door quickly for any obvious traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Then she checks to see if the door is locked.

Fin will sneak along with Quasit...

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

...while she's checking the door, he'll cautiously try to peer in the window closest to the door, to see what they'll be walking into...

Thought the GM said we couldn't open the windows...are you planning on busting through it?

Door first and if that fails the windows via as much force as is needed.

Ibona takes the Wand of Cure Light Wounds in her off hand, and then in her main hand the Gladius, ready to follow Bulvi into battle.

Sakitu follows behind Quasit and Findurel as stealthily as possible. Unfortunately, she is not nearly as quiet as she should be.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Fin will sneak along with Quasit...

Thought the GM said we couldn't open the windows...are you planning on busting through it?

My plan was to slip around to the windows facing north, then find one that wasn't actively being watched, and try to break in there. I'm hoping to not just bust the window -- I'm hoping to get it open quietly, either using tools to undo the latch, or perhaps cutting the glass free of the window sash, and then reaching in to undo the latch, or something like that, symbolized by a Disable check. How hard can it be compared to a door lock? :)

Alexia knows she can't sneak, so stands behind those who are trying to burst in the door.

Fin give me another perception

Quasit being as stealthy as she can, you don't see any traps and think it is safe, the door is unlocked, do you open it?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

so as Fin peers into the window, he only manages to see the outline of one person, he could have sworn there were two before, it does look like one of the people from earlier

Fin give me another perception

Quasit being as stealthy as she can, you don't see any traps and think it is safe, the door is unlocked, do you open it?

Quasit looks back toward Bulvi and gives him a thumbs up, then slips off around the building to the north, passing between the woodpile and the well, then stops in front of the first window she comes to.

the window which on the map looks in at the room with the green bed

If the room she looks into is clear, take 10 on a Disable Device check to get the window open: 10+11+21

upon seeing whats in the room, she manages to open the window

"Like taking candy from a baby..."murmurs Quasit with a grin. She looks over her shoulder toward Sakitu and gives a wink, then begins to climb into the building as quietly as she can.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Fin looks back to Bulvi, holds up one finger and points towards the window, then holds up another and shrugs...

He then continues on behind Quasit...he covers her while she enters the window, and then follows in behind her...

Ibona looks at Bulvi, "You ready to bust down the front door? I'm right behind you"

Bulvi nods at Ibona before trudging forward through the snow and opening the door. He's not screaming or making a ruckus but knows he can't stealth.

If anyone calls out to him or turns to look at him, which seems likely, he will speak in a clear and calm voice despite having his sword and shield out "I hope you don't mind me dropping in, I'm looking for a woman."

As bulvi tries to open the door, he notices it is unlocked, but it does not open, it acts as if it is barred on the other side

Quasit makes it into the room with no issue, and quietly, Findurel follows

Bulvi turns back to look at Ibona and the others and whispers. "Barred. I guess we go round back?"

Sakitu follows Quasit and Findurel into the house through the window.

Findurêl nods towards the chest and whispers. "Quasit, want to check that out? I'll cover the doors..."

Fin draws his bow and keeps an eye on the doors...

Bulvi turns back to look at Ibona and the others and whispers. "Barred. I guess we go round back?"

"Or break in a window, your choice, I will follow you."

Findurêl nods towards the chest and whispers. "Quasit, want to check that out? I'll cover the doors..."

Quasit's head snaps around at Fin in honest surprise.

"What? No!" she whispers back. "Bulvi's gonna be coming through that door in like 5 seconds. We need to be ready to jump outta here."

She pulls her sword and puts a hand on the door handle leading out into the main room, and gets ready to jump outta here.

Alexia continues to follow, keeping her eyes open for trouble.

Bulvi will move to the closest window and smash it in not wanting to delay too much longer, he didn't want to leave the other group in the lurch.

as bulvi busts the window open, 2 arrows come flying towards him

Yellow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

~Round 1~
Quasit
Findurel
Alexia
O,Y,R,B,P
Ibona
Greens
Sakitu
Bulvi

Bulvi will move to the closest window and smash it in not wanting to delay too much longer, he didn't want to leave the other group in the lurch.

At the sound of shattering glass, Quasit starts and stiffens, then looks back in alarm toward Findurel and Sakitu.

"Something's wrong."she says. She chews her lip for a split second, then throws open the door. She immediately sees a room full of men and slashes instinctively and savagely at the nearest one...

Attack on Purple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
roll to confirm Crit if applicable: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
additional Crit damage if appropriate: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
sneak damage if appropriate: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Fin will move up 5' and fire thru the doorway at orange...

Longbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 (vs flat-footed AC?)

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Was that first arrow against flat footed or regular AC?

Ibona will keep up with, and stay behind, Bulvi. Her seeing Bulvi take an arrow to the chest, she will use the CLW wand to heal him up to full health.

Wand CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Alexia adjusts where she is standing a little so she has a clear shot of one of the people inside. Then she sends a magic missile at him.
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

I did it against your AC Bulvi
Alexia which one did you Aim at?

as Quasit opens the door, Oranges readied action goes off

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

though his attack falls against the door frame.

Quasit in her actions swiftly dodges the missing strike and finder her dagger lodged in the back of Purples throat, as Purple falls over like a bloodied rag doll.

Findurel seeing Orange go after Quasit fires his arrow at him, and Orange drops to the ground

Yellow and Red move over and Flank Quasit, each striking at her from either side

Yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Red Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Yellow skirts the weapon off of Quasits boot, while the Red sinks her weapon in for a nice bite of flesh

Blue is going to stay where he is at, readying just in case

Ibona Heals Bulvi for 3 points

when all of a sudden the door behind blue opens up and 4 more join the fight

~Round 1~
Quasit
Findurel
Alexia
Y,R,B
Ibona
Greens
Sakitu
Bulvi

"Thanks." Bulvi says over his shoulder to Ibona before he sighs looking at the barrel on the far side of the window north towards the door and pushes it out of the way before climbing through the window.

Quasit hisses in pain as the enemy sword stabs into her, but takes advantage of the opening as she stabs up under his ribcage...
attack on Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
"You guys are terrible hosts. Didn't even offer us a warm drink." she gloats wickedly at her enemy. She looks over at Bulvi.

"Bull! We need to get that door open! There's too many for just you and me!"

She then drops back a step and opens the other door (the western one) leading out of her current room.