DM Dr Evil's Reign of Winter AP (with PFS Credit)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

"We haven't much time," Talon interrupted. [b]"If we want to save our lost lady, we had best make haste."

No time to discuss curious kids...

It looks like we are all here and ready. Let's head down the road.

Seeing how many answered the call to save that stupid noble, Agatha shrugs and shoulders her axe. "Everyone ready? I do not want to spend the night outside with you people! Nothing personal, but I do not know you and my dogs need me!" Grabbing the leash of her dog Agatha starts the walk to the last position of the carriage.

"And I'm sure we'd all rather spend the night with your dogs than with you, Sweetheart, so let's get moving," Talon says with roguish bravado.

He has all his gear and begins walking behind Agatha.

"I think you mistake my dogs with sheep, loudmouth. But I had an idea!"

Talon rolls his eyes but continues walking near Agatha.

"I hope your idea involves a warm hearth and a juicy steak...but let's hear it," he says.

"First you have to earn it! And let´s save the breath for walking!"

"This better be good," he mutters, then continues the trek in silence.

"I'll enjoy the warm fireplace in the Silver Stout after we kill or capture these bandits, I've seen enough dogs in the alleys of Riddleport as a child to last me a lifetime" Commented Lars offhandedly "Speaking of bandits, am I the only one to find it strange that a group of waylayers are working with fey?" He asked, turning his head towards the group, a studious look decorating his facade.

"Yeah, bandits and fairies make strange bedfellows, that's for certain," Talon says.

He trudges through the cold and snow stoically.

The High Priest did send me down here to investigate rumors of strange monsters in the Border Wood, so fey and bandits don't seem to strange.

The trip from Heldren south to the Border Wood is about 6 miles. This distance takes about 3 hours to traverse one way, and the group chats back and forth a bit along the way. As you head south towards the Border Wood, the wind is in your face, and the snow flurries around your heads. It gets thicker and colder the more you move to the south until the temperature is near freezing. After a good distance you can see the fringes of the Border Wood come into view.

Near the forest, the temperature grows noticeably colder. The road ahead is littered with debris and the corpses of slain humans and horses. A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the forest.

Map of the Massacre Site is up. Please take a look. Your icon for your PC Should be in the top right-hand corner. You should be able to move the icons yourself, but please use movement arrows to show your path of movement if possible. The maps will also be linked at the top of the page for your ease of use.

"What a mess", Meditrina thinks to herself as she observes the scene of the massacre. Meditrina walks carefully towards the roadway carriage (the overturned one), (taking 10 on Perception checks for 15) seeing if she can spot any clues. After this, she moves onto the next carriage, hoping against hope that someone might have been intelligent enough to leave any sort of clue behind.

Trawets meanders toward the statue but is trying to let the better armord folks stay ahead of him.

"Before you guys walk into an ambush, I ought to say I could scout ahead and make sure it's safe...either way, I get out alive," Talon says.

He moves stealthily toward the carriages, watching for traps or any sort of clue.

Shrubs to the right. Hide behind overturned carriage. Escape the way we came.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Meditrina moves ahead to the overturned carriage. Inside she sees two Taldan handmaidens lying dead inside. There are broken chests and boxes strewn across the ground, and from one, expensive ball gowns lie askew half-out of the case.

The upright carriage bears the marks of the Melassane house of Zimar. It appears that many arrows have been fired into the carriage. As Talon approaches, he is able to see a spear haft has been wedged between the carriage door handles, holding them closed. The curtains inside are drawn, but muffled sounds of movement emanate from inside the carriage.

I think I forgot to mention that any movement off the road or path through the snow is considered difficult terrain. If any part of the square is path or road, it is normal. Remember 5' steps are not allowed in difficult terrain under normal circumstances.

Agatha hefts her axe in booth hands and nods to the carriage. "If someone wants to open the door, I am ready!

Trawets moves up to the locked carriage and covers anyone opening the carriage.

Ur all cowards xD

Meditrina opens the carriage door.

Lars swiftly move behind the family of trees, who were closest to the lone, dead, barren tree that lay on the snowy ground Well they certainly love their devastation He studied the stage of destruction from the wall of wood that shielded him from sight.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Lol.

Ready for the worst

Talon peers toward the carriage, curious as to what is trapped inside.

Returning from the tipped over wagon which held only corpses, Meditrina steps over to the carriage from which the sounds are emitted. Making sure all are ready she pulls the spear from the carriage doors.

Almost the instant the doors are freed, they burst open and 3 Ulfen soldiers pour out. All are shot through with multiple arrows, and one has claw marks rending it's face and neck. All are wearing the colors and livery of the Melanasse family, marking them as guards of this caravan. The soldiers jump to the ground with the mindless muscle tone of the undead and move to strike the living near them groaning as they do so.

Locked Carriage - Round 1

23 Talon
20 Green Zombie
18 Lars
17 White zombie
11 Trawets
10 Agatha
8 Red Zombie
7 Andras
4 Meditrina

As the zombies leap to the ground, the party tries to recover from the initial shock and surprise to act.

Talon is up first with his quick reaction times. Anyone can post when they can, however, and I will re-organize the posts into initiative order. If you have an action that doesn't make sense, you'll have a chance to re-post something (like if your opponent is already dead) or I will shift attacks to the next logical target. Let's keep the action moving, even in combat.

Remember, non road squares are difficult terrain for tactical movement and no 5' step is availble in those squares. If any part of the road or path is in a square it is considered normal terrain for our purposes.

Crap!

Trawets says a few arcane words and points a finger at the "green" zombie in front of Meditrina, assuming its there on his turn, otherwise will fire at the closest one to him.

Force Missile Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"What the...!? Stand back!" Talon yells as he jumps back from the mindless drones moving toward him.

I've heard of these monsters...but never seen one in person.

Suddenly, daggers spring to both Talon's hands from hidden spring-loaded wrist sheaths. Taking a step back toward the road, he stabs toward the first undead with both daggers.

But Talon stumbles backward in his surprise, missing with both attacks.

dagger attack 1: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
dagger attack 2: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

dmg 1: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
dmg 2: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

5' step, swift action retrieve daggers from wrist sheath, full attack.

Locked Carriage - Round 1 - continued

Talon steps back in alarm, but recovers his wits fast enough to snap both his blades in place and make a pair of feeble slashing attack, which both miss.

Full of the fury that the undead carry for the living, Green Zombie slams Meditrina, the nearest target for his anger, bashing her in the face and neck and knocking the wind out of her. The beast lumbers around the injured cleric, trying to more space to operate.

Green Zombie Slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Slam dmg to Meditrina: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Lars up now for the party before zombie goes again.

Trawets moves as well. Should be 30' from green and crap may get upgraded.

With a swift flash of steel, Lars drew his thrown axe, motioned with his fingers, causing the leather straps near his shield to go tout and bring it to his forearm, and then burst from the cover of the trees Reminds me of the time Captain Clancy had some of the crew hide in flimsy boxes that were smuggled into a merchant ship...I must admit the man had his brilliant moments With that thought fresh in his mind and a smile on his face, Lars made a dash to the edge of the road, his boots digging into the thick snow, halting as soon as he neared Andras "Alright lads and ladies, lets cut our way to our red head, starting with the one in front of you Agatha" He motioned towards the zombie with his throwing axe.

Move action to to get to the edge of the road, to the lower right of Andras, and another move action to use Freebooter's Bane on the white zombie, a free action to draw a throwing axe, and another free action to equip his quickdraw shield...ah quick draw how I love thee.

All allies within 30 feet of Lars(including himself of course) gain +1 to weapon attack and damage against the white zombie.

Caught by surprise, and hurt, Meditrina withdraws as a full round action, trying to get some room between her and the Zombie.

As she does so, she faintly recalls any information she possesses on she and the party are now engaging.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

[I think its just the one question I get, so I'll ask if these undead have any defensive abilities, such as DR or Channel Resistance. (If I have to pick one, I'll ask for DR)

Locked Carriage - round 1 -continued

Moving through the heavy snow slows Lars a bit, but he takes up a position near the others, directing their attention versus White Zombie and taking his axe and shield in hand.

White zombie snarls savagely and swings his longsword at Agatha, a reminder of his life before undeath. The sword clangs off the barbarian's fancy dress armor harmlessly.

Trawets actually moves towards the fight, sending a bolt of arcane force slamming into Green Zombie which only causes the undead beast to become even more enraged.

Zombie longsword vs Agatha FF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Agatha is up now for the heroes, followed by the last of the zombies. Not sure if Andras is back and posting, but if he hasn't piped up by his turn, I will DMPC him. Then Meditrina, who has already posted.

Tapping in her inner rage Agatha attacks.
attack,rage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d12 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Locked Carriage - Round 1 - continued

Agatha roars with rage at the abomination that her Ulfen kinsmen have become and swings her greataxe with reckless abandon to free one. The blade strikes the undead creature, neatly cleaving its head from its shoulders -- the body collapsing in a heap.

The Red Zombie leaps clumsily down from the carriage unlimbering its own battleaxe ready for a fight.

Striking up a chorus of the war-song of the Ulfen Guard, Andras begins inspiring his allies to courageous deeds worthy of that elite unit.

Begin bardic performance - inspire courage, everyone within 30' gets +1 to attack and damage rolls.

Meditrina, already taking a serious wound, performs a fighting withdrawal gaining distance from the savage zombies.

End of Round 1

Locked Carriage - Round 2

23 Talon
20 Green Zombie (4hp dmg)
18 Lars
11 Trawets
10 Agatha
8 Red Zombie
7 Andras
4 Meditrina

On to the next round, Talon up first for the good guys. Lars, Trawets and Agatha up after Green Zombie has an action.

One down. Slow but relentless. Can outrun.

Splattered with gore from Agatha's vicious blow, Talon steps back and throws a dagger at the closest zombie.

dagger attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 10
dmg: 1d4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 6

Sorry about missing that, didn't have pc access for the last few hours and before that Paizo was down.

Just as quickly as it started Andras' performance ends though the power of his song carries on in the hearts of those that heard him. Instead he focuses on his blade, infusing it with part of his own magic ability.

Fully focused on the combat he takes a step forward and swing his sword at the nearest red zombie.

Don't prolong performance but Lingering Performance makes it last for 2 more rounds regardless
Swift: Use Arcanme Strike
Move: 5 foot step into melee with red
Standard: Attack Red
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"ARRROOOOO"With a howl, almost like a dog Agatha moves to her next victim. Cocking her head and looking at it, as if she wants to ask if the zombie is looking at her. WIth a savage chop Agatha, with white foam around her mouth, slams her axe into the next zombie. No clever swordplay, no finesse, just the most brutal efficiency!Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d12 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Talon dodges additional incoming gore.

Good night! Remind me never to anger her without a plan to get away...

Locked Carriage - Round 2 - continued

Stepping back further and wiping the bloody gore from his face, Talon throws his dagger at the nearby zombie. But the thrown blade flies harmlessly to the side as the zombie takes an attack position.

Green Zombie lumbers towards the nearest living thing it sees, in this case Trawets the wizard. Fortunately, it moves slowly enough that no attack is forthcoming this round.

Agatha continues releasing her brethren enslaved in a life of undeath. With a howl, she brutally cleaves Red Zombie perfectly in two, returning it to death where it belongs.

Lars and Trawets up for the good guys. Andras may want to re-post since Red Zombie isn't much more than a stain at this point. Meditrina can also post when she can. Man, that Agatha is a beast!

Oh Sh**! I've upgraded crap. 5' step back. Force Missile at green.

Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Meditrina, still wary from the previous assault, unleashes a blast of pure white energy, slamming into the undead creature, while simultaneously healing her wounds.

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Moving past the enraged Agatha, Lars makes his way to the walking corpse that got too close to the wizard, and once he thought he was at a good range he let his arm hang back before letting his axe fly with a vertical swing. The edged weapon spun its way through the cold, snow filled air, slowly shortening the distance between itself and the undead.

Ranged Attack Roll: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Damage Roll: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Move action to get within 10 foot range of the last enemy, basically Lars moved in a straight line towards the zombie.

Sorry should be 1d12+9+1 for the song not +13. Comes from typing in the subway via cellphone. I.. apologize!

Locked Carriage - Round 2 - concluded

Lars rushes past the enraged Agatha, ducking just enough to be narrowly missed by her savage backswing. He then rushes after the runaway zombie throwing his axe at it. The slippery footing, however, causes his toss to be wild and miss the target altogether.

Not wanting to be the target of teh angry undead, Trawets steps back from the beast and unleashes another force bolt at point blank range. The arcane energy strikes the zombie full in the face and it roars its outrage at being so damaged once again.

Andras ends his bardic performance, but the magical inspiration effect lingers for another two rounds. The bard then also rushes after the zombie, enchanting the tip of his blade with arcane energy. When he gets near enough, he unleases a swing of his own, perhaps not as savage as Agatha, but just as lethal for the precision. The attack finishes the already wounded zombie ending the combat.

End of Combat

Meditrina you can hold on to that channel energy at this point. The gang killed the foe before we got to you. Meditrina is the only one injured I believe. Killing the 3 zombies earns each player 100xp.

The former pirate, true to his nature begins scouring the battlefield for anything of value and even looks through the bodies of the undead, after prodding them with his recovered throwing axe.

Lars will take a 20 on his perception check.

"Well done...especially you, Agatha. Remind me to keep on your good side," he says.

He begins to investigate the area with Lars, looking for any clues or anything of value. Also taking 20 on perception.

"It is strange to think that the fey or bandits created these undead abominations," he muses. "Perhaps they are all under the direction of something more sinister..."

That was way too close! Thank for finishing the last one off before he could get to me Andras. I agree that fey turning these guards into undead sounds strange. I think maybe Meditrina and I should have a look at them.

Taking 20 on perception checks on the bodies.

Shaking like a leaf, Agatha drops out of her rage. Sitting down she takes big lumps of air, suddenly her dogs runs to her and starts to like her face. Half a minute later, with her second win she looks around at the carnage her axe has wrought.
"Um thanks Talon. Yes um thanks!"
Sorry folks watched the half-finals with friends. Shocking... in a way!

Actually I think I'll still use that channel to heal myself. From an IC POV, she's likely to want to hang around at such low HP, even though it was largely her own fault!

Meditrina also takes 20 on Perception to search .

Ok, Meditrina, back to full HP but down one channel for the day. Got it!

The fallen Ulfen warriors who were re-animated have nothing unusual on them. They are dressed in leather armor and have a few weapons and the livery of the noble house they once served. Many of their brethren still lie on the battlefield undisturbed in their death. Many are punctured with arrows, some of tiny size while others seem to have been simply frozen to death.

The search of the formerly occupied carriage reveals a jewelry box partially hidden underneath the seat. Inside the box is a pair of opal earrings, a pearl-inlaid bracelet set, assorted gold and silver necklaces, and a sapphire pendant. Also included in the box is a signet ring bearing the seal of the Melanasse family.

The rest of the battle site is a chaotic ruin of violence, but nothing of value or interest remains.

On the south side of the scene, an icy statue stands surveying the field. Closer examination reveals this gruesome statue is actually the ice-encased body of the Taldan captain in charge of the detail. His frozen form has had parts carved away that now lie in blocks of slowly melting ice at his feet. One of those blocks holds the captain's masterwork longsword. His breastplate, emblazoned with Taldan heraldry, is still attached to the torso of the figure.

Finally, at the southern edge of the massacre site, an obvious trail leads between a copse of trees and over a snowy plain toward the Border Wood. In the heavy snow, the trail of many figures and horses is quite easy to follow should you choose.