DM Immortal's Reign of Winter

Game Master imimrtl

With the aid of the ropes everyone is able to make it across leaving Aneira with the pony on the far side. Coaxing the animal along she is able to get he beast of burden to take a few tentative steps. The ice pops ominously but holds until halfway through the crossing. The horse stepped into one of the weak areas but managed to pull away quick enough to avoid the hole that rapidly appeared. Just when all thought it was safe another hoof wen t through the ice. The horse was close enough to the bank that he was able to stand up and climb his way out with only his legs getting a quick dowsing.

On the far side of the river, the legs and feet of a frozen corpse can be seen in the snow next to the trees. The rest of the body is buried underneath the snowfall. By the look of the boots and legs, it would seem to be a man of some girth and thankfully not the noble woman you are all looking for.

When Venja makes it most of the way, Variel makes way for her. If you would slip and fall Venja I am sure that your hair would find some way to pull you out. As 'interesting' as it is I am sure there are still some surprises that we haven't seen from you yet in regards to your locks.

GM - it occurs to me that all of this place is only an hour from the town, right? So would we the players know of this river before it was frozen? Specifically, it's origin and distance? In other words, if we traveled up the "coast" of the river for a bit, it seems like a decent "road" as there is no real amount of blockage like heavy tree cover.

Both I and Aneira (if she's willing) can travel over ice with relative ease. That said - is it worth scouting up the river on the banks where the ice is thicker and then reporting back, or is this a pretty mundane river and we know all there is to know about it?

EDIT: Okay, it seems this post is now moot, though the OOC part would still stand, I guess.

Even though Anee can move over the ice and snow without being hindered, Variel still breathes a small sigh of relief when she is finally across with the ropes and safe. Giving her a quick hug to show his concern, Good to have you back by my side again. With the way this trek has been going who knows what could have happened to you till you got across. I was ready to run over should you spot something wrong or something go amiss.

On the far side of the river, the legs and feet of a frozen corpse can be seen in the snow next to the trees. The rest of the body is buried underneath the snowfall. By the look of the boots and legs, it would seem to be a man of some girth and thankfully not the noble woman you are all looking for.

Gabryjel moves forward slowly to the corpse, expecting another undead.

As the others are busy, he decides to take a moment to search the corpse as carefully as he can.

Take 10 on Perception for a total of 13

GM - Did Gabryjel find anything on it, or am I about to get bit by a Walker :)

Gabe, everyone knows that the river was located here just that it should not be frozen at this time of the year. As for scouting up or down the river, you can if you want to, but will have to make survival checks and perception checks to notice weak spots. The body is 10 feet from the river edge so its not like we have left the river by any means yet.

Gabe, everyone knows that the river was located here just that it should not be frozen at this time of the year. As for scouting up or down the river, you can if you want to, but will have to make survival checks and perception checks to notice weak spots. The body is 10 feet from the river edge so its not like we have left the river by any means yet.

In that case, I'll have to think about it... I doubt highly that the girl is moved up or down the river, but I'm willing to check it out if the others are.

I get the perception checks, but just curious for clarification/understanding - why the survival checks?

Once the snow is cleared away, it is easy to recognize the man is Old Man Dansby, a local farmer and former member of the Taldon army. He came out here to retire as he had no family and started a new life. Being a member of the army, Mr. Dansby always kept good gear and kept it well cleaned and serviceable too. On his body you find a MW comp longbow (+1 str), 14 arrows, 1 dagger, 1 MW handaxe, a pouch containing 18gp, 12 sp, and 13 cp.

perception to notice a different coloration tot he ice, survival to know if the different colorations mean anything dangerous.

cool... a bow that's perfect for Gabe.... that'll boost damage nicely!

"Poor Dansby, he was a fine fellow. Wouldn't know proper color coordination if it bit him, but other than that, a good man."

"Yes, he'll be missed for sure. I wonder what he was doing out here so far from his farm? Maybe he was hunting? or perhaps investigating the cold himself?"

Venja moves over to the poor man's body and tries to determine what killed him... was it the cold, or perhaps he ran afoul of some of the creatures out here, or the lady's captors?

heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Even though Anee can move over the ice and snow without being hindered, Variel still breathes a small sigh of relief when she is finally across with the ropes and safe. Giving her a quick hug to show his concern, Good to have you back by my side again. With the way this trek has been going who knows what could have happened to you till you got across. I was ready to run over should you spot something wrong or something go amiss.

Handing the reins of the pony to Gabe, and knowing he would deftly reattach the travois to the creature (and thanking him for his earlier assistance and now), Anee moved toward Variel.

Anee pressed herself into his embrace and lingered longer than she should.

In soft whisper, for her husband's ears only, she replied, "You managed to keep your balance even when the ice elementals wanted to knock you down and into the freezing water. I am proud of you."

Reluctantly leaving Variel's loving arms, Anee looked at the frozen remains of Mister Dansby and sent a quiet prayer to Erastil on his behalf.

Cool – thanks for the tip on the survival details. That’s good stuff to know :)

Gabryjel’s eyes widen in surprise as he examines the corpse.

”By the gods…” he gasps in some surprise.

”That’s Old Man Dansby,” he says shaking his head in shock.

”What the hell is he doing out here?” he says looking up at the others, asking the question somewhat rhetorically.

Studying the body for a bit, he quickly pats it down, searching it for any items.

When he discovers an item or piece of gear, he quickly pulls it out and sets it aside.

When the pile of gear is finished, he leans back and ponders it for a moment.

”I reckon it’d be good to get this back to his family – if he’s got any relations, that is,” he says thoughtfully.

”But in the meantime, I reckon he won’t mind if we keep this stuff here for a bit,” he says looking at the others.

He thinks a moment.

”That’s a mighty fine bow – and I know a bit about bows and such,” he says after a moment.

”I reckon if I use it – Well, I got a pretty good bow that I can’t use at the same time – if anyone’s handy with a bow, you could use it if I use this one here?” he says asking the others.

If that’s cool with everyone, I’ll happily take the new bow and give my old bow to another member of the party. Meantime, unless anyone claims the new items, I’ll just pack them up with the other misc. gear on the horse until we need it.

Gabryjel’s not trying to hide anything from anybody here; he’s being upfront – but I figure putting the gear we aren’t using on the horse might be handy.

FYI – does anyone have a list of the loot collected so far?

Venja, you see multiple tiny pierce marks that could be from a tiny rapier. Also there are a few large bruise marks that have been frosted over. Your best bet would be he was attacked by the fey and made it back this far tot he river when the elementals finished him off. It would seem like he tried to put up a decent fighting retreat as his quiver does not have a full complement of arrow.

I thought so too about the bow when I read that

Handing the reins of the pony to Gabe, and knowing he would deftly reattach the travois to the creature (and thanking him for his earlier assistance and now)

After hearing Aneira's words, Gabryjel will respond to her politely, then he will move out of the way so that she can speak to Variel.

"I think the new bow should go to you, Gabe, for you are best in its use. It will help to have you better outfitted out here in this strange, winter landscape."

"It looks like he was fighting the fey... see these piercings from what looks like a tiny rapier? Then he has these bruises that have been frosted over, so maybe he fought his way back here and got attacked by the elementals? He might have taken a toll on the fey with his arrows, but I fear without cold iron, his damage may not have been have devastating... or permanent... as we would have liked."

"I think the new bow should go to you, Gabe, for you are best in its use. It will help to have you better outfitted out here in this strange, winter landscape."

He looks up at her and nods.

"I reckon so, Miss Whitestorm," he says nodding in agreement.

"That said - I got a pretty handy longbow sitting by not doing much if I'm holding this new one; you interested in having my old bow in the meantime?" he asks her politely.

Variel smiles at Anee's encouragement. It helps when they were slow and missed me. I need to be quicker though as I did not put up a good showing myself. At least we all worked together and made it across safe and in one piece. VAriel gives Anee's brow a gentle kiss as she pulls away.

Turning to Gabe to discover what he found, he hears about Gabe giving up his old bow. I don't know about anyone else, but I can use a bow decently. I have shot one before and am familiar at least with its mechanics. If someone else can use Gabe's old bow then be my guest, if not then I will use it Gabe, thanks. I will stow the crossbow then with the rest of the gear unless someone wants that.

Hearing Venja's words as to how Dansby had perished, Aneira nodded her head and uttered quietly, "He died honourably, heroically, as a man of his calibre should. Will we leave his body thusly or attempt to remove it from the snow and ice?" Aneira did not feel good leaving the deceased man in such a position and waited to hear from her companions on the matter.

If the ground is frozen then it would be too difficult to bury him. Perhaps cover him with snow and place some rocks over him as a cairn would be the best. No animals could get to him then.

At Gabe's question regarding his current longbow, Aneira smiled and answered him politely, "Thank you for the offer, Gabe, but my light crossbow is better suited to my stature and strength. Variel will probably make better use of your old longbow."

"It looks like he was fighting the fey... see these piercings from what looks like a tiny rapier? Then he has these bruises that have been frosted over, so maybe he fought his way back here and got attacked by the elementals? He might have taken a toll on the fey with his arrows, but I fear without cold iron, his damage may not have been have devastating... or permanent... as we would have liked."

Gabryjel rubs his chin, thinking a bit.

"Well, I found a tiny rapier earlier... it's in the gear yonder," he says jerking a blunt thumb toward the packs on the horse.

"That's likely the same one that did the job on Old Man Dansby," he says thoughtfully.

"You know, I respect Fey mostly - but the more I've been seeing on 'em the more I'm not liking 'em," he says with a frown.

"Well - that said, what now?" he says looking at the others.

"Aye, husband, that is a fine solution. I would see no animal maul on poor Mister Dansby's body. I can collect some rocks. Variel, can you shovel the snow over his body, please."

Aneira does not stray far from the others in her search for rocks and collects them in her shawl.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"Let me help you, Anee," Venja offers. "I can at least do that much for the poor old fellow. I don't know any funerary rites or rituals, but perhaps someone else can cobble together some kind of proper farewell to say over the cairn when we're done."

"Thank you, dear Venja. I think Xan has a wonderful oratory ability and could give a fine farewell to Mister Dansby."

Xanxan helps gather items to use for the cairn,"I can try, of course but I ain't no proper holy person."

At Gabe's question regarding his current longbow, Aneira smiled and answered him politely, "Thank you for the offer, Gabe, but my light crossbow is better suited to my stature and strength. Variel will probably make better use of the longbow."

Gabryjel tosses a glance at her husband.

"Yeah, I guess..." he says with a frown.

"But he's really more of a swordsman than an archer, I reckon."

"It's just... well, I just figure that anyone who's not handy going toe-to-toe might use the bow a bit better than a lad who's in the thick of things..."

"What do you all say to that idea, does it sound alright?" he says asking the others.

Glad that his idea would work, Variel goes about helping gather some of the larger stones that maybe the ladies couldn't get by themselves. I know of no rites either but Anee is right about Xanxan. He does have a way with words and maybe knew him best if the man ever came into his shop.

Aneira, being an oracle, can only use simple weapons, without a penalty. Isn't a longbow a martial ranged weapon?

"I believe the gods will forgive us if the words are not spoken by a priest. In times of necessity, we make do with what we have, dear Xan. And since we all knew Mister Dansby, your talent as a wordsmith will do at this sad, unfortunate time."

Agree with you completely Gabe, but if no one else is comfortable with using a longbow that is the only reason I would use it. By all means if there is someone else that can use it then let them have first chance. Like you said, I prefer to be between Anee and and foes possible. The more of a threat I am to them the safer she will be.

Aneira, being an oracle, can only use simple weapons, without a penalty. Isn't a longbow a martial ranged weapon?

Yes it is. Sorry, I didn't realize it until now; also Xanxan can't use it as he's too small; maybe Beck or Venja could use it? His idea is someone who's not very good at melee fighting could hold it in the back and use it. But he'll basically give it to anyone who wants it.

"Well anyhow, it's up for grabs, I reckon... " he says offering it to anyone who wants it.

Normally not comfortable with maudlin displays of emotion, the ceremony for Mister Dansby prompts Gabryjel to remove his hood and bow his head in respect as the stirring eulogy is given.

Aneira, amid her work, watched all the companions collect and prepare the cairn to house the departed Dansby.

She quietly thanked her husband for lifting the heavier stones that she could not carry over to the snow-covered body of Mister Dansby.

Venja is a witch and only proficient with a few simple weapons, sorry.

"A fine bow like yours Gabe is far beyond my meager skills. It should be in the hands of one who can put it to good use. I have my crossbow for when I stand at range from a foe."

Beck as a druid is very limited with what weapons he can use, too. So, I think the old longbow should go to Variel as he is the only one apart from Gabe who can use it. Is that okay?

definitely works for me :)

Druids cant even use crossbows. They can use slings and spears for ranged attacks.

Once the cairn is assembled, Xanxan clears his throat and speaks,"Dear folks, we are not the family Dansby deserved to have at this time to say farewells, but they are not here. Still, in a way, all of Taldor was his family, as , for a time, he was a brave soldier in the Taldan army. He never talked about it much, but he stood between the land he loved and all threats. He bought time for orphans to flee before enemies, and dragged a fellow soldier to safety." The gnome states gently, "He did all that, but we know him not as a soldier who had to take life, but rather a man who nurtured the very life in the soil. He was known more for his turnips than his sword play to most. He was known for fine cabbage. Was there glory in this? No, but there was simplicity, and peace. It is a shame he was denied a death as filled with peace as his last decade was. May he have that peace in the arms of a kindly god. He surely deserves it."
Another lowering of the head, and he finishes "Be it so."

Very softly, Venja whispers, "Rest in peace, old friend."

Gabryjel frowns a bit at his recollections of his time in the army of Taldor, though he appreciates the words about Dansby.

Then he notices that Xanxan has concluded his eulogy.

"So say we all," he says with calm finality at the end.

He pulls his hood over his now damp locks and looks at the others.

"Well, we ready to head out?" he says.

Venja pulls her light shawl around her shoulders and nods, hefting her small pack. She stamps her feet a few times to shake the snow off her shoes and slips into place ahead of the horse. "Ready."

Aneira with bowed head, whispered, "Rest in peace, friend."

To Xan, she added, "They were fine words, Xan. Thank you for the undertaking."

Once the makeshift service was complete and Mister Dansby's body was safe from scavengers, Aneira moved away from the cairn and stood with Variel. She heard Gabe ask if they were ready to head out again, so she gathered her pack and other belongings, and returned to the line. "Ready."

Survival, to aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Not needing any of the gear, Beck simply plants a sprig of mistletoe and places a couple holly berries on the grave in a private Druidic gesture, saying a couple strange words in an tongue unknown to the others. "Aye, back to it then," says a sombre and subdued Beck.

Beck steps up and takes point, looking about
Survival: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 31 survival kit, and aid

"Tis no trouble, Aneria." Orphans, yes, he PROBABLY saved Orphans. Xanxan gathers his gear and readies to follow Beck's lead.

As Beck moves to Point, Gabryjel takes his longbow and hands it to Variel.

Then he takes the reigns of the horse and follows the others, bringing up the rear as they advance.

Beck - did you have a loot sheet for this page too; or did anyone? Sorry, I don't remember, but I'm trying to figure out what's up. Just let me know...

Yeah, May as well do that i guess.
Var, think you can send me the loot lists real quick? Dont want to miss anything...

We got out personal stuff that we started with which was 180 a person
We got the haul from the dead guy [ooc]Lovely service, btw
The fey with the pet elk.
the three fey that attacked us
the stuff from the cart[/ooc]

am i missing any encounters? i'll try to get those ones spec-ed out on the sheet.
Cna i get the same for Wrath too, I can track it after that. =]
COld Hard Cash link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At0_2fgahIlkdGUyZ3ZZZ1JsOEhCWm 4zai1WMHNUUkE&usp=drive_web#gid=0

I will get that to you once I get a chance tonight.

The service concluded, Variel claps Xanxan on the back. Nice work Xanxan. You did well and the gods I am sure heard it with the proper heart that it was intended in.

Fort save for cold for Variel 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 DC 16

Traveling along what is now discernible as Hawkins Trail the trail begins to climb a ridgeline to the south beneath snow-laden trees. The prints of boots and horses mar the freshly fallen snow on the trail.