DM Immortal's Reign of Winter

Game Master imimrtl

Arodus 2nd
Time: Early Morning
Location: Trudging up the Path

Gabryjel continues his slow movement up the path.

He keeps his eyes open on any threats.

He does not look back on the others; nor does he try to interrupt them.

He continues to walk, to listen and to seek any threat or sign of trouble around him.

Xanxan laughs at the snow as well, but keeps his gnomish senses peeled.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Special talents? Mmm...I suppose we might."

Smiling at the others as if this is nothing more than a leisure stroll with friends, Indeed, I may have to keep an eye out on all of you from now on with such surprises. While not alarmed that you have such...interesting abilities, it does take one off guard for a split second to see such a thing happen. Do not worry all of your secrets are safe with me when we are in public as I prefer to remain silent in such occasions anyways.

"I suppose it would be a good thing if we all knew everything about each other, but discussing such things now might not be good, as we don't know if we are being observed or not. We will just have to find out more as things are revealed. Except for my spells, there is little more to learn about me though. The hair was my biggest secret. It's quite srong and can carry things or attack where I cannot myself. Very handy stuff." To punctuate her statement, she sends out a lock of hair and flicks Variel on one elven ear, then chuckles softly as the hair returns to it's normal length.

"Oh, if we're being observed then ..." He speaks just a bit louder, "I slay a giant every morning before breakfast, a dragon before lunch, and in the evening? I exhaust my harem until they collapse happily." He winks at the others and speaks in a normal volume, "think whoever is out there bought it?"

Venja's trilling chuckle chimes again at Xanxan's jest. "They might have... every word I'm sure... until you mentioned the harem," she jokes back at him.

"Awww.." he sighs, "But that was the only part that was true."

The easy banter around her coats her senses and she allows it and the unseasonable winter weather to re-energise her as she walks. Occasionally Aneira pushes her hand forward and brushes Variel's hand, but she does not want to distract him overly.

It was true that Variel was not much of a talker in front of strangers or minor acquaintances, but that did not bother her. She trusted in his ability to hold to his word and keep secrets. Venja's hair ability was something she had witnessed when they were alone, but she had not mentioned it to her husband for it was not her secret to divulge. She held faith that Venja would have shown or told them in due time.

hey all. You're doing great in my absence which I apologize for. Still not feeling too hot. In recompense on the trail you all come across a half buried backpack with a single item of less than 50gp that each of you would want.

hey - if it's =<50, it's a good chance for Venja to grab a healer's kit or is the <50 hard and fast?

Thank you GM; I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you for the "gift", GM. Aneira finds weapon blanch - cold iron (valued at 20 gp). Thanks.

If it can be up to exactly 50gp (rather than under 50gp) she might go for mage armor potion or CLW potion instead. ;)

How bout the backpack =P masterwork worth 50 Or some snow-shoes, cause I realized that if I need to track I slow down more, so with shoes while tracking I can move on pace with the rest.

"I always thought you had the prettiest hair, Venja. So is just cause it's magic then, or was it nice before you gould controle it? *gasp* Or did it turn magic because its pretty?" beck asks Venja in his sightly sheepish way, inadvertantly demonstrating his utter lack of arcane knowledge. ;P

Whie facing venja, Beck trips and takes a header popping back up with a backpack in his hands, "Hey look at this!"

Snowshoes are good and only cost 5 gp. Variel is carrying a pair that Aneira gave him earlier (she had some in her gear).

Aneira tried not to laugh when Beck tripped and landed on something. He was correct about Venja's long stark white hair, it was extraordinarily lovely. That she could manipulate it magically was another boon.

Aneira moved forward to see the pack in Beck's hands and to take a look inside when he was done examining it. The march had ended abruptly when he had tripped, and they huddled closer to his find.

Venja laughs at Beck's assessment and guesses as to the nature of her hair. "Perhaps a bit of each, my friend. But thank you, nonetheless."

"Handy things those backpacks."

Arodus 2nd
Time: Early Morning
Location: Trudging up the Path

Gabryjel pauses in the search and looks at the snow.

Something catches his eye, and he reaches and examines it.

A bag filled with odds and ends draws his attention.

He looks carefully through it and finds a small leather-bound journal or book of some kind.

He flips quickly through the pages – noting that they are in excellent condition and filled with what looks almost like “print” – along with various printed woodcuttings depicting types of animal tracks; types of poisons, vermin, plants – both poisonous and edible – charts and notes on weather patterns the world over – demarcations of variations throughout the world at large – and complex and detailed instructions and valuable information as a whole.

His eyes widen in surprise and he grunts in some satisfaction.

Taking the bulk gear back to the horse, he slings it over the goodly beast and slips the book into his pouch, pleased at the rare find.

Apologies - the item I found was mean to be in the backpack, but it is in fact a bag itself. It is not a masterwork Back-Pack, though, but something else.

It occurs to me that I may have misunderstood the GM's gift at this time - I thought that each of us could find an item laying on the ground worth 50 GP (or less) that we wanted. I re-read his post and now it seems like what he may have suggested was only 1 item for the whole party that was worth 50 GP and we've have to pick it.

My post deals specifically with the idea of me finding one item that my character would want worth 50 GP or less. I don't know if that is how the GM wanted it - if we were only supposed to have 1 item total, than please disregard my last posting.

If we all had to share only 1 item - that's different. I simply misunderstood.

Okay, sorry for all the bother; I was at work all day and may have misunderstood things, but I'm home now.

You can have an item worth up to and including 50 gp. Sorry again for the delay. I will have an update in a little bit.

Okay, my understanding was that each of us finds an item in the pack (valued up to 50gp) of our choice. Immortal, can you confirm if it is one item for the group or an item each? Thanks.

Yeah - because if we all need to have a pow-wow to decide on one item, I'm down with that. But I kind of assumed it was 1 each, too.

Also, if by "you" - you meant "You" as in "Gabryjel" - that's one thing. If, on the other hand, you meant "You" as in "You the party" - that's another thing. Sorry to be a pain, but it's pretty confusing at this point. As a suggestion, if you could use the "reply" button to address who you're talking to, or at least put their name in the posting, it could be helpful. Thanks! :)

One item each.

Brushing a piece of Venja's hair from his ear, Variel happens to turn as he does so and spies a few broken branches off he side of the path. Moving over to investigate, Variel fnds a backpack of high quality. This is fortunate indeed. This should help with the load I am carrying and make it easier to walk along. Fortune smiles upon us.

Found MW backpack.

Solid! Thank you GM; in that case it seems like Beck found a masterwork backpack and Ariana has her Cold Iron Weapon Blanch and Variel found a MW backpack as well. Good times!

For anyone who is curious, I took a MW Survival Kit - it's value is exactly 50 gold. Everything included comes in a small pack, hence the 'extra' pack laying in the snow.

was gonna take a healer's kit, but we already have one in the party, so gonna take a potion of clw instead.

Venja and Beck - as you both have animals, you may be interested in - This - Basically, it's a healers kit made specifically for animals. But as Snow and Sheelah may end up getting sick or poisoned or whatever in time, it may be worth considering...

thanks for the suggestion, it would have made sense for venja to have one, as the town vet, but I think I'll stick with the potion for now.

Aneira finds/takes a CLW potion from the discovered backpack.

As you progress through the trail, you come upon a small clearing with another piece of discarded debris from what you suppose is the abductors. Similar to the last stash that was left along the path. You see a chest sitting on its side as well as several bags.

All of a sudden a whipping sound occurs and a section of tree that was suspended in the air, falls down onto the path its branches sharpened to points, hitting Aneira, Venja, Gabe, and Sheelah.

Aneira, you are hit for 8 damage, Venja you are hit for 11 damage, Gabe you are hit for 4 damage, and Sheelah is hit for 4 damage. The falling snow made it very difficult for you all to see the trap. Xanxan all the way in the back was unaffected.

Venja drops to the ground, lifeless, after a short squeal of pain.

Missing the tree branch by mere inches, Variel avoids the damage. The rest were not so lucky with Venja taking the brunt of the damage. Not having much that he can do, Variel listens and follows Anee's orders for first aid.

Aid another heal check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Aneira cries out from the unexpected pain and barely manages to stay on her feet from her wounds. Anee's current HP 1/9 She hears Venja's cry of pain and watches as she falls. She bends down and moves her hand carefully over her body and the wounds, trying to determine Venja's injuries before dealing healing.

Heal check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Crap on a stick with these damn low rolls.

Oops forgot Variel. My mistake so I won't add Variel to the list lol.

Knowing that Venja had just found a potion of healing, Variel digs it out and gets ready to administer it. Do you have any magic healing left Aneira? If not i will give her the potion she just found.

Thanks Immortal. I just thought it missed me.

"Argh, dammit!" Bech shouts, getting up and dusting himself off. "Oh no, Venja, Aneira, Do you have healing you can use, or a potion or something? There was a potion in the Pack right? Or a spell? I don't got that kind of magic in me right now!" he says crawling over to the witch as she lays bleeding, seeing the others at least moving and slowly rising. He looks over his friend,but lacking any real training he takes his best guesses as to the extent of her injuries and tries to staunch the bleeding
Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Didn't include a -2 if there sn't a kit used cause i dunno if that's a thing...

Do we want to conserve spells or potions? Potions will carry over for more days, but spells can be used for other things...
Sorry for the ninja Var, chalk it up to talking over you a little as Becks ears are ringing...

Dont want to speak for those that can cast healing spells,but I am one to conserve potions because anyone can use or administer those. But will let the spellcasters decide. That is why I pulled the potion and will wait for a confirmation.

"I have all my healing magic still, husband, and a potion of my own. Allow me to use my magic to heal her."

Anee lays her hands on Venja's still body and whispers the ancient words and a white light spreads from her hands and begins to knit the wounds and stem the bleeding.

CLW spell: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Anee can cast 1/4 first level spells this day.

Venja's back up to 3/8.

Addendum: Seeing that the first spell was not enough to fully restore her friend's health, Aneira lays her hands on the sitting Venja again and casts,

CLW spell: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 2/4 first level spells cast.

Venja back up to full HP.

That is good dear, but I am afraid that you all took damage from this trap. Do we have enough healing to heal everyone and proceed onward or should I take point since I am healthy?

Venja's eyes flutter open and she gasps softly. Seening Aneira above her, still touching her lightly, she says, "Thank you, Anee... I feel much better." The pained expression on her face as she tries to sit up belies that statement somewhat, but she does her best to hide the pain as she finally stands, a bit unsteadily.

"What hit me?" she asks, looking around curiously as she brushes snow and ice off her clothing.

Ven, sorry I made Anee perform a second healing (as an addendum on my prior posting) to have Venja back up to full HP.

A tree was rigged to fall when anyone approached this stash here.i wonder what if anything is here? You might want to step back.

Variel waits for the rest to move back and then he starts looking through the stash to see what is there. He keeps an eye out for other traps as he does so.

Another stash means we get another item of 50 gp?

That is good dear, but I am afraid that you all took damage from this trap. Do we have enough healing to heal everyone and proceed onward or should I take point since I am healthy?

"I have two more healing spells remaining. And Venja can heal me when I am done. I think we can make it work. But after that, I believe we may be in trouble if we are wounded again."

Aneira moves forward, slowly due to her injuries, and lays her hands respectively on the other two injured in their party, using the last of her healing magic.

CLW on Sheelah: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW on Gabe: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Both Sheelah and Gabe are back to full HP.

After the second healing, Venja straightens fully and smiles at Aneira, tears brimming her eyes. "Thank you so much. I have one healing spell memorized for the day, and a potion as well, but we need to be more careful if they are going to set traps for us along the way. Oh, do be careful, Variel," she calls out as Variel approaches the chest.

Aneira sits down and pulls her healing kit from her pack and tries to stem the more obvious bleeding.

Heal: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21

"Let me return the favor and heal you now, Anee..." Without waiting for a response, because she's sure Aneira will wave her off if she gives her a chance, she quickly casts her own cure light wounds spell and touches Aneira gently on the hand. Healing energies surge from one woman to the next, healing most of Aneira's wounds.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

In soft voice she replies to her friend, "You are welcome for the healing, Venja. Variel, if you take lead, be mindful of more traps."

Before having the chance to tell Venja to conserve her magic and that she would drink the potion, her dear friend healed her.

Due to Fey Foundling feat, Aneira heals an additional +2 per die rolled when magically healed. Bringing the CLW healing to 9.

Anee is back to full HP as well.

"Thank you, dear Venja. You are kind to use your one spell on me."

"I couldn't let you wander about with traps potentially everywhere as badly hurt as you were... Is anyone else hurt?" she asks, looking about at the others.

"I am grateful as I would not like to be a burden to the group. I have healed those who presented with injuries, my friend. I believe for now, we are fine." Aneira wondered what would happen the next time they were hit with only two healing potions to work with and a healing kit.

Arodus 2nd
Time: Early Morning
Location: Trudging up the Path

Gabryjel pulls himself to his feet.

He notices the blood on his clothes and feels it dripping from him.

Taking some cloth from his pack, he quickly rips it into shreds and stuffs it into the wounds and binds them as tight as he can.

The pain is still bad, but at least he’s not bleeding out.

He moves quickly to Venja and sees that she has been struck by the trap and has hit the ground, but was healed.

He sighs a bit, feeling relief that she is still alive; noting that other than Xanxan – who was in the back and safe, only Variel was untouched.

He hears Venja's words, asking if any of them need help; but he says nothing, not wanting to burden the group with his injury.

There are others worse off than you; remember your training and deal at least some form of triage.

Turning to look at Variel approaching the chests his eyes flick back to Xanxan, who is still at the end of the company.

The gnome said he was good at finding and disarming traps…

He looks at Variel who continues to move forward to the open area and suspects that the chests were merely bait.

That is the second time we were hit by a trap. And this is a complicated one – nearly a deadfall. That trap would have taken at least half an hour to construct.

So whoever made it had plenty of time…

He stares at the chests a moment longer.

Surely they must be bait, but if they are not why leave it behind?

He thinks again about this trap and what it may mean.

I do not think the chest will have anything of note… if I had time to make the trap, I would not leave my gear some place so open.

Ah, but hearken – you saw no evidence of horses on the trail, if they had gear, perhaps they did leave it behind? Maybe… but surely not in the chest itself…

He ponders a little, thinking of tales of buccaneers on western coasts and what they did with their treasure.

He can't quite recall that knowledge, but his eyes light up a bit as he recalls the words of a Halfling scout teaching him lore on “fencing” smuggled goods.

Best to trap treasure and traps have bait… Now if you’re wise you keep it safe… Bury the treasure deep below; hide it deep where none will know…

He nods a little.

”The chest may be a ruse… Perhaps they have treasure... but I would think it would be buried safe... ” he says, trying to offer a helpful suggestion.

"But be mindful... there may be other traps..."