DM Immortal's Reign of Winter

Game Master imimrtl

"I have no idea... but they look like some kind of animated trees and they are coming this way, which means they probably aren't friendly.. We probably can't outrun them in the snow. I wonder if their sap is flammable," she says as she reaches for an alchemists fire bag on her belt.

Know. Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 +2 from Beck for 20.

"They are frost firs. They generally inhabit the frozen north and are territorial and protective of their lands. They attack and do not care why you are in their area."

Gabe, do you have Know. Nature perchance to give aid so we can make the higher check and get the other info?

I heard yah the first time Gabe but no I don't have any. "

"Well you could have said something sooner, rather than stand around," he remarks as he rolls his eyes a bit.

"The way we keep running into these skeletons, I want something that will pummel them the way Beck is then my rapier.. "

"Take it, if you want it; but you can still do pretty bad-ass damage to a skeleton by magicing up your blade, do clubs matter as much as all that?" he asks curiously.

I'm not sure if Skeletons still need only blunt weapons. I thought slashing weapons could do damage to skeletons, too. Just not piercing. If that's the case, than daggers, most swords, claws, and other stuff should effect skeletons, but I don't know for sure. Any clarification on that (I mean, are those skeletons special or anything, or was there something else going on?)

Garbyjel will continue to move up the path with the others, following behind them.

Just realized that a club is free which by the rules means it takes no time or resources to make. Doesn't seem right though.

Meh; like most rules they're not about what's realistic as much as tactically correct. In "real life" it will take you a lot longer to make 20 arrows than it will to make a decent table (assuming you have all materials at your feet). But the rules say 20 arrows take a maximum of 4 hours to craft if you make your check (and likely sooner if you roll higher). A club is a defined as an item that you "club" someone with. That's pretty much it. I think the deviation comes into play when you factor in things like clubbing someone with a chair, or a table, or a heavy rock. Those are pre-existing items; you can't pick up a bottle of wine and call it a club (well, personally I think you should; the real life physics mechanics that are used to swing a bottle of wine are no different than what's needed to swing a piece of wood shaped like a bottle of wine - like a sawed-off pool cue, or escrima sticks, for example).

It's one of the rare times that changing the rules would actually penalize the players; so personally I'm comfortable with the way they're written and sticking by the book for a change :)

"They are frost firs. They generally inhabit the frozen north and are territorial and protective of their lands. They attack and do not care why you are in their area."

Gabryjel looks at the creatures with wide-eyed surprise.

"Onodrim..." he mutters to himself.

Sorry, Aneira; Gabryjel's knowledge is mostly based on superstition and lore that's folk tale/camp-fire stories. In short, just crap I know from various books that have nothing to do with the game :)

But no, he's a fighter and didn't take any knowledge checks; I may start doing that in the future, though; just to help out aiding people.

Shaking his head to clear it, he concentrates on what Aneira had said.

"You called them "Frost Firs"? Is that like a "fir tree"? Because if it is, fir trees have pine cones and sap which I use as glue to bind arrows. I can tell you this - the sap burns real easy... If they're anything like real fir trees, this is the time to use burning stuff," he says. Again, that probably won't help; it's just stuff I know about fir trees in real life; but I don't know if it will matter here.

"But then, they may be something else altogether and nothing like fir trees at all, seeing that fir trees don't bloody walk..." he adds, chastising himself for giving information that may not be relevant instead of sticking to only the facts like a soldier should.

Hmm... so haunted crow stuff; crazy Fey Folk and now ents coming to attack? This seems very familiar to me; lucky it's not a Willow - which reminds me...

"May the Huntsman shield us," he mutters to himself.

Huntsman = Gabryjel's word for the god Erastil; for some reason it seemed an appropriate prayer...

Not sure of the reach of such creatures, but guessing arrows do little to ent-like creatures, he will deliberately move to K:3 to separate himself from Venja and the others. If these creatures have long arms that can smash multiple targets, he'd rather spread out and give some space between his comrades.

He will draw his pot of "Alchemist fire" but he will hold it at this time as they are out of range and are not attacking formally and may be bargained with (also, with ranged penalties and all that, he may be too far to even hit them).[/ooc]

GM - Map is awesome, but quick question; the trees on the map - can we move through them at penalty like normal trees; or are they a natural barrier like rock?

A sudden though (via Free Action) and Gabryjel turns to Beck.

"Beck, you're woodcrafty - you reckon those things speak the tongues of Men? Can you try to reason with them, like with an animal, maybe?" he asks the druid.

Not sure if Wild Empathy will work on ents, but I'm hoping it does as there's three of them, and ents are pretty nasty enemies if we have to fight three of them. Aneira said they'd attack us, but if we can try to be diplomatic, that may save our bacon. Ents are not easy to beat, especially three of them!

Okay, not sure on how far I can move formally, so I hope that 15 feet is okay. Meantime, I'm off to work and won't be able to post until alter this evening. Than I'm all over these guys! See you later :)

Based one Aniera's assessment i doubt they'll be friendly, "Nuthin I can do here mate. Anee?"

I'm going to wait till Aniera posts in case she thinks she might be able to negotiate with them. If not, we got 10 fires in the pot, not counting the individual ones disributed among us, so Beck'll use one of them if the firs advance.

may pull out a pot and ready an action if one approaches...

"I may go to meet them, in my way..." Xanxan hides, pondering an idea as he does so.
Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Oh mighty game master, since the traps are only recently deactivated, can one reset them without the Craft traps skill? Xanxan is thinking of moving them to take out a tree

Thanks for the responses on crafting a club.

The trees on the map are designed to actually fill the squares as the trees take up the space accordingly. The squares that are filled by trees are impassible and all others squares are difficult terrain from the snow.

Xanxan, you were still working on the traps so they can be currently armed if you wish. They are in K:7 and M:7. If you were to move them it would take too long to set to do much good in combat.

Those of you preparing actions manage to move accordingly as the frost firs move closer. As venja took a shot the rest that haven't acted can take a surprise round of actions. Once the surprise round is over the group won init so group up first.

Beck pulls out an Alchemist Fire as a move, ready to engage the trees if they move to attack.
There's not really much else i can do aside from asking them to leave us alone in Sylvan...

Aneira removed an Alchemist's Fire from her belt pouch as a precaution as it took her longer to undertake such a thing than the others and kept it by her side and not in direct sight of the three firs lest it cause them to question her motives (she does not want to appear combative or a liar). Aneira would always opt for the peaceful route over direct combat. standard action to retrieve stored item due to Haunted Curse.

If Beck, as a druid, did not think he could get through to the frost firs, Aneira wondered what she could accomplish with her societal charm.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 Sucky roll ...

She raised her voice against the wind and called out to the oncoming trees in Sylvan, "Revered and honourable treefolk, we pass peacefully through these woodlands. We are travellers, on a quest, and do not disrespect nor dispute your claim to this land. Please grant us leave to pass through unharmed."

Gabryjel will watch Aneira's action, pausing to rub his chin thoughtfully.

If we're lucky, their Bark is worse than their bite... he muses silently.

Just holding action and waiting to see what the GM does via his attack or response to Aneira's action.

If/when the ents advance to attack, he'll use his held action to attack them. Otherwise, he just holds it.

Variel is torn by what to do as he saw Venja shoot at the frost firs yet Anee tried to speak calmly to them. Hoping to not make matters worse for his wife yet wanting to be in a position to defend her and the rest of the party Variel moves forward and draws his rapier readying and attack if the frost firs prove hostile.

readied attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The frost firs give no indication that they even heard Aneira. Instead they shamble along at a quick gate for tree and move into melee position with the group. The heavy snowfall hindering them a bit but not enough to prevent them from reaching Variel.

Gabe, by held action you mean readied action. Big difference if you want to interrupt a course of action. In this style of pbp holding/delaying is pointless. Take your readied action this time but please specify the readied action you are taking and say it is a readied action.

Venja's bolt sails past the tree creatures and into the forest. With the lack of acknowledging Anee and moving closer Variel takes that for offensive behavior and swings at the creature. His rapier hits but the piercing weapons fails to do much damage at all. Other readied actions can go as I know Beck had an alchemist fire out and indicated such.

group up...

combat map

I know you said group up, but do you mean for the rest of readied actions or for round one?

GM - two things; am I able to use my readied action against the trees? Also; does deadly aim matter for alchemist fire? If it does, I'll use it - if it doesn't, I won't. Just let me know. Thanks.

Gabe, by held action you mean readied action. Big difference if you want to interrupt a course of action. In this style of pbp holding/delaying is pointless. Take your readied action this time but please specify the readied action you are taking and say it is a readied action.

Gabe, as you can see above, DM said you can take your readied action this time.

Venja, those that had readied actions can take them for round 1 and do their round 2 actions.

Thanks Anee for the quote.

Gabe deadly aim does not work on touch attacks. So no with the alchemist fire.

Venja moves forward near Variel (to N7) and tosses an alchemists fire at the tree (at N10)

ranged touch to hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

dmg if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Thank you for the information. That said; Gabe will attack with the -8 penalty for range and snow fall.

Range Touch attack with Alchemist fire at L:8
1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11

If it hits -
1d6 ⇒ 3

He will than move to L:5; sheathing his bow as part of his move action.

Ven, did you include the -4 for strong winds? Variel said that we should be including it for the rest of the day (in game) when I asked him about it the other day.

no I didn't, so that would give me an 11, I hope I still hit... after all, it's just a tree!

Get the tree, Ven! ;)

Beck Lobbs his fire back at the tree approaching at I:9 and takes a step back to L:5 hoping to lure the tree to the trap at K:7, pulling out his second Alchemist Fire

toss: 1d20 + 3 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 4 - 2 = 1
ew

Sheelah waits where she is Readying an action to attack an Ent that gets into Her range

The gnome moves between the traps, "Remember what I found friends, see if you can guide our foes...." He sees Beck is already on top of it. "Ah, nevermind."

He grins at the nearest attacking tree, "Your mother was a wanton willow, who shed her seeds with such abandon even the wildflowers found her whorish! So many beasts made their mark on her, it was hard to find an animal that hadn't been there...twice." Then he repeats the insult in other insults trying to provoke the tree

Move to M6, try to lure one to M7, going all out defensive

Xanxan after reading that I snorted my drink up my nose. You know how badly milk burns when that happens.

Beck I moved you to where Xanxan was previously as GAbe indicated he was moving to that same square first. Hope it works for you as the intent seems to be the same.[/ooc]

The frost fir to the north hurries in and charges at Beck (who managed to at least splash the tree for 1 fire damage) not noticing the trap that is still covered slightly in the snow. It springs free upon the frost fir entering the area for a good amount of damage. Enraged by the pain it swings its mighty branches and manages to impale Beck for 8 damage and coating him in sticky resin.

The second frost fir hears Xanxan call him a willow and other unsavory names. Aready aflame from Gabe's alchemist fire his rational thinking is beyond him. Going to teach the small gnome a lesson he too steps into the trap but hardly takes any damage from the weak spring in the trap. Xanxan's nimble moves were too much for the tree creature to hit and Xanxan remained unscathed.

The last frost fir steps up after being torched by Venja and swings at Variel. The smoke from the fire on its body causing him to flail about weakly doing nothing but fanning the flames.

combat map

Good guys up and Gabe and Venja don't forget to roll for the last round of the alchemist fire this round...

Gabryjel watches a moment as the tree in front of him burns…

Alchemist Fire Damage
1d6 ⇒ 3

Seeing that it attacked Beck and already suspecting that arrows won’t do much the tough bark of the tree, as part of his Move Action Gabryjel draws his axe and takes a five foot step to K:6.

He swings his axe at the creature in front of him…

Don't know if it matters much if I use an axe against an ent; but everything from LOTR had ents pretty much impervious to everything but fire and axes. Beck, I hope Sheelah's claws can do the job on this thing, or we'll be in hot soup!

Attack with Cold Iron axe –
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

If it hits –
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Edit: Cool, so between this attack and last attack that's a total of 3 fire damage first round; 3 fire damage this round and 6 damage with my axe (assuming axes do any damage). That's a total of 12 damage (6 from the Alchemist fire and 6 normal), for whatever it's worth...

Venja raises her crossbow and fires at the one attacking Variel while her alchemist's fire continues to burn the creature.

to hit with crossbow: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 - 4 = 16
dmg if hits: 1d8 ⇒ 4

alchemists fire dmg, 2nd round: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Aneira runs to O:8 and throws her flask of Alchemist's Fire (she had retrieved it from her belt pouch last round when she was attempting to talk to the trees) at the frost fir on the other side of her husband at N:9.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 2 - 4 = 14 (-4 penalty for wind)
Fire damage, if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Venja took a 5' step to 07 before firing her weapon (sorry - didn't realize I was in melee range of one and don't want to get aoo'd)

Beck Gives a little whistle and Sheelah pounces on the Giant Tree that is trapped
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

and Beck Takes a solid swing at it
Slash: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 with his Scimitar

Beck, I don't think Sheelah can take a 5 foot step to K:6 because I am already there. But if she steps to J:6 to attack, that should be able to work just as well.

See you guys later; I'm off to work.

The combined efforts of Venja's and Anee's alchemist fire leave the frost fir to the south burning like a torch before it finally crumbles over. The fost fir to the north succumbs to the damage that GAbe, Sheelah and Beck deliver to it as it is pinned to the ground via the bear trap.

Hoping that either Xanxan or himself can fell the last tree, Variel stabs at it with his rapier trying to find a weak spot in the bark.

1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14
damage1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

With the aid of Xanxan providing a flank Variel drops the last fir. The group has hardly anytime for a respite when a rumbling is heard to the east.

combat map

Xanxan you have 1 round to act before the weasel appears then group is up.

Venja sees the approaching weasel and herself and Anee somewhat separated from the group with the weasel too near them for comfort. She lets out a little squeal of dismay and fear.

Xanxan sees the weasel, and moves to protect the ladies
Moving to O9
He fires a crossbow bolt at it hoping to draw its attention. It will occur to him later that he might be able to TALK to the creature, but doing the smart thing all the time? What kind of adventurer would he be then?

Crossbow to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
If that hits, dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Possible crit? Wow. To confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
If confirmed, additional dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Te weasel wasn't there on your first turn. It then moved onto the map on its turn leaving the group to go now. I will take tht shot though for this round as you definitely hit.

Group up...

Thanks. Then move then and fire this round with that shot. thanks :)

Venja raises her crossbow again and fires at the weasel, then moves behind the fighters (to L5)

to hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

dmg if hits: 1d8 ⇒ 5

"Come, Anee, get out of the way of the beastie."

And Gabe was disbelieving when I spoke of a giant weasel...

Not able to defend herself at present against the giant weasel's sudden appearance, Aneira turned and ran back toward her companions; able to move just beside Xan at M:5. Raising her crossbow, she loads a bolt and waits.

Gabryjel heaves a sight of relief as the ent in front of him crashes to the grown.

I reckon them tales of Onodrim weren’t nothing but a lot of BS – either that or these were just their baby brothers…

He tosses a glance to Beck and Sheelah as he slips his axe back into the loop at his belt and draws his bow, knocking an arrow, as usual for their basic marching order.

”Ya’ll all right?” he says to his comrades.

Before they can answer, out of the corner of his eye he notices Xanxan rush forward and fire a shot at something behind the thick tree cover obstructing his view.

Another of one of them damn tree walkers? Nah… bows ain’t much good on them, so Xanxan would’a tossed another fire pot if it were them type, I reckon… what could it be?

He moves to M:7 to take a look.

So a Move Action to sheathe the weapon, and the rest of my double move action to get to M:7 and as part of a Move Action I can draw a weapon (though not use it) hence drawing the bow.

Between switching weapons and moving through snow; I’m not sure if I can attack this round, too. But based on the GM’s last post, I don’t think I can. That said I’m just sticking with switching weapons and moving through the snow terrain.

GM – the last combat action Anee and Aneira each only suffered a -4 penalty to use ranged weapons. Since the target they were aiming for was in melee combat with Variel, I’m assuming 2 things: they suffered the -4 penalty because they were shooting into melee combat and that the snow stopped and everything’s cool on that front. The other thing I’m assuming is that everyone forgot about the -4 penalty to shoot into melee combat and they factored in only the -4 penalty for the weather, because it is still formally snowing.

I'm not sure, though; is the snow still falling or not? I have Precise Shot, so I'm not really worried about melee combat, but I am kind of worried about more snow fall. Just let me know what's up either way.

Finally, the main reason I’m moving is because I’m assuming that from my current position that I can’t shoot the Weasel through the tree cover. If I can shoot it through those trees, please let me know, I may ret-con this action (if possible).

If I can shoot through the trees I'll drop my weapon as a Free Action and draw my bow as part of a Move Action and shoot as a Standard Action. But honestly, I'm just thinking I can't see through the trees, so that could be a problem right now.

As he moves over their to see what Xanxan’s firing at he hears Venja’s voice.

"Come, Anee, get out of the way of the beastie."

He picks up his pace, wondering what's going on.

Gods damn! What the hell is it now?

One of them gods damned yeti-types that Beck was jawing about? Maybe a gods damned dire bear charging to protect her young… Or worse yet, a bloody Lycan ready to shred us apart.

He shivers at the thought of being turned into a were-beast.

Hell, if we get bit at least we got a few weeks before the next full moon… Still, I wish I had some gods damned silver arrows; 'cause if it's really a lycan this is going to get real ugly…

As he formally finishes his move to M:7 he peers around the trees nervously to see what’s there.

His eyes widen in surprise.

Well, piss on that! It really was a big weasel.

He shakes his head in baffled wonder and raises his bow…

Okay, I guess that’s all I can do via difficult terrain and so on.

"Man, that hurt like the dickens. Either o' yea lovely ladies gots any h-Gigantic white weasel!" Beck starts to ask as he sees the Beastie and looses his sling with a flick of his tail in the same motion as he loads it and then whips a bullet at the giant weasel!

Swift: retrieve sling via Prehensile Tail
Move: load
Standard: attack
sling: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
for 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

i saw that they forgot the penalty for either wind or melee but the frost firs touch AC is 10 so both hit even with the negative modifier. The wind is still causing a penalty to hit Gabe.

No you can not shoot through the trees so your move is correct Gabe. Will get a post update with the map once I get home from work.

I factored the -4 penalty for wind. The reason I didn't include the -4 for melee in my one shot at the Frost Fir was that it was the one furthest from the group and there was no ally in Anee's way (or melee fighters) when throwing her Alchemist's Fire (she stood 10 ft from the Frost Fir at the bottom of the map). So I'm unsure why Gabe has issue with it now.

i saw that they forgot the penalty for either wind or melee but the frost firs touch AC is 10 so both hit even with the negative modifier. The wind is still causing a penalty to hit Gabe.

No you can not shoot through the trees so your move is correct Gabe. Will get a post update with the map once I get home from work.

Okay, thank you for the clarification. I noticed that Venja used her crossbow to attack an enemy and than you wrote the enemy died; I misunderstood your post and thought it was the arrow that dropped it, not the alchemist fire. No worries, it's all good.

no, with an adjustment of -4, my 16 probably missed with the crossbow, so I'm sure it didn't drop anything... :) but at least I tried before running and hiding. I didn't realize taking the winter witch archetype would be so devastatingly bad for this ap. Restricted from using any fire spells is hard in this environment where everything is resistant to cold. and I can't hit the broad side of a barn with this darn crossbow, lol

Venja, as you readied an action a couple of rounds ago you have been loading your crossbow to then fire it. As such you wouldn't be able to move, load, and fire this round. It actually works in your favor as with the wind you would have missed anyways.

Variel sees Venja and Anee step out of the way of the weasel. Likewise he sees xaxan step up and place a perfect shot in the belly of the large beast. Not wanting Xanxan to take the brunt of the ferocity of the weasel, Variel steps up and readies and attack when it gets within range.

attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

I understand the frustration with the winter witch archtype but if you look at it from a noncombat perspective a winter witch will do quite well later on. Give it time.

The weasel ignores Variel and the rest as everyone else who took attacks at it missed horribly. Focusing on the source of its pain and suffering the weasel lunges forward and tries to bite the crafty gnome. In too much pain and not used to eating things that small the weasel misses completely.

Now that he is next to the creature Variel continues to attack it hoping to direct its fury at him. Variel passes the blade of the rapier into the shoulder joint of the weasel. Although not a fatal wound it is quite painful and attract the attention of the large rodent.

combat map Variel acted already

Gabryjel marks at the presence of the weasel and raise his bow to attack the creature as well from his current position.

Attack with -4 added in
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

If it hits
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The gnome weaves to the side as the weasel closes, and then, switching to his rapier, stabs at the weasel, "Oh your fur is so beautiful, it's almost a shame to do this. Try to die without bleeding too much on it, please."

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3

attack d20+3
damage d6+2

GM - quick question: Variel is a Magus on level 2 - he has the ability to be doing Spell Combat or (better yet) Spellstrike and tons of damage on this thing. I'm trying to figure out the combat and I'm wondering if there is any reason that you're not doing any of those types of actions or attacks? I'm just trying to understand what's going on with your guy is all.

spellstrike only works for melee touch attacks currently as I do not have close spell arcane power. As such I would be taking an AOO to use cast acid splash. Not worth it right now. I could use spell combat to cast a spell but my options are enlarge (takes too long) shield which I want to save for more than 1 opponent or multiple attacks which has not happened yet, and burning hands again want to save for more than 1 opponent. Not a big damage dealer yet Gabe, give me at least 1 more level to get close spell.

Going more utility than the Shocking Grasp magus at the moment i see. fun =]
Beck moves up to M:8 and takes a swing at the Weasle with his club (had to drop my scimitar to use the sling...)
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Sheelah moves up close as she can to the thing. is M:9 open?