Bolstered by his previous success but conscious that his power is not limitless, the dwarf hefts his spear and stabs at the ice warrior which seemed hurt the most.
With a grunt, Martok plunges his spear into the iceman, breaking off a chunk of ice as he pulls the spear back.
Thanking her lucky stars that Zaxx has moved on to other prey, and then feeling shame as it is one of her companions, Aurora aims and fires again, regretting every minute she ever spent not practicing with her crossbow in the past.
In her attempt not to hit her friend, the bolt goes too wide.
Vesna's bolt strikes the wounded elemental in the eye and he collapses in a pile of ice shards. Martok's spear pierces the other one's head and it too collapses. The party looks around but there is no further danger around, other than the worsening cold and the open wounds.
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Exiel winces as he puts a hand at the area where the ice elemental had smacked him. Looking around, he further notes that the party is somewhat worse for wear.
"Perhaps it would be prudent to find a place where we can rest up for abit, especially if it will enable Martok and Aurora to heal our wounds. I am anxious to rescue the kidnapped lady, but I am not keen on us marching on recklessly. Getting there early will be pointless if we aren't strong enough to rescue her."
"We might be able to find a hollow to rest in away from the winds for a bit. Perhaps some branches to keep the heat in. It seems Aurora and I don't need as much warmth either."
You all get over the stream safely (). Vesna find some serviceable shelter behind a downed log tree, which keeps the biting wind off your face. You start a fire and settle in for the night, feeling its warmth. Thankfully, it appears the harsh cold keeps the predators away as well.
In the morning, you are ready to go and follow the trail again.
Vesna ventures out into the cold to get snow for drinking water throughout the evening. She saves it up for Martok to melt or to heat over the fire. At night, the girl merely wraps a blanket around her to head off to sleep.
In the morning she sits up and brushes the odd auburn lock out of her eyes. A lazy smile crosses her lips. "Well, not often I wake up in the company of three strange men." She chuckles lightly and heads outside to dress.
"Now, who's still hurt from the battle?"
Martok thanks the ranger and applies some tricks he learned to heal the ranger before retiring for the night.
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As a new day dawns, the warmth has come to back to Marek's hands and feet. The previous day lingers in his mind more like a bizarre dream. But no dream, this is all true and real, he thinks looking at his newfound companions, who are still sleeping or waking up. At least we are all still alive
"My healing skills are humble, and merely helps your body to heal itself. Exiel's wounds are beyond my skills, but I remember Martok and Vesna displaying far superior powers" the ranger says, studying the wounds.
Vesna examines the wounds on Exiel, shaking her head. "These will take days to heal on their own." She closes her eyes and feels the cool wind rushing through her and down her hands to the Paladin. When she opens her eyes, the wounds are gone.
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Probably just as well that it was Vesna rather than Martok who healed that wound, seeing as it was mainly frostbite and a cracked rib... The frostbitten flesh would probably have just cracked open from the sudden heat, and I don't even want to know what attempting to cauterise a broken bone would do...
Aloud, however, he simply says, "Thanks Vesna. I appreciate the aid."
If we're across the river, Exiel looks to the North of path on the other side of the river where what appears to be the lower half of a person is sticking out from under the trees. Ever-suspicious of corpses just lying around (especially in the wake of their first skirmish upon leaving Heldren), he focuses his attention on the body (or what's left of it, as the case may be) to see if he can sense any evil emanating from it.
If he does not detect any evil, he will move to take a closer look.
Aurora is glad for the rest, sitting on the snow in the shelter of the fallen tree, things are cold, clear and calm. She seems very content after resting.
Exiel don't wander off alone, Vesna only has so many healing spells!
Aurora will move to follow Exiel and cover him with her crossbow.
Healed up after a good night's rest, the dwarf wakes to his morning prayers and communion with Kitah. After some time where Martok converses with the white rat, he gathers his gear and sets forth after Exiel.
Exiel detects no evil and finds the corpse of a human. Martek recognizes the dead body of Old Man Dansby, a farmer from Heldren and former solider of Taldor. His body is frozen stiff but it appears he died from the spiky puncture wounds on his body, perhaps from the ice elementals.
On his body, you find a composite longbow (+1 Str) with 12 arrows; a dagger; a masterwork handaxe; and a pouch containing 14 gp, 25 sp, and 18 cp.
You continue forth as quickly as possible, the tracks of your enemies growing fainter with each passing minute. The biting wind and snow in your face continue to harass you. The temperature is growing colder and the frost is starting to numb your extremities.
An hour later, the trail begins to climb a ridgeline to the south beneath snow-laden trees. The prints of boots and horses still mar the freshly fallen snow on the trail. You hear voices arguing in Common at the top of the hill, but you can't make out the context of the argument.
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"Poor Dansby, may you rest in peace", Marek whispers upon seeing the frozen corpse. "We'll get back for a proper burial. I hope you don't mind using your bow against the villains who brought this upon us", he continues and picks up the bow.
After a good night's rest, even the horrible wind doesn't seem to bother the ranger. His mood stays good and body warm.
Hearing the voices, Marek points towards hill. "Maybe we should sneak in closer to hear what the arguing is about. Who's with me?"
Vesna reaches down to pick up the dagger and coin pouch. She quirks her mouth in though but simply shrugs. "Doubtful he'll need these anymore. Someone should take the handaxe too."
After they move off and hear sounds of shouting, Vesna shakes her head. "I might be able avoid sinking in the snow, but moving quietly is another story."
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Exiel tries to breathe slowly and rubs his arms with his hands periodically to ward off the cold.
Darn this cold...was never this cold back in Xa Hoi...or in any other place I've wandered to in Golarion thus far...up till now...
Fort save:
Exiel sighs at the mention of stealth.
"I'm afraid I will only hinder you if I try to sneak closer with you. But feel free to scout ahead with anyone who is able to move stealthily with you. If you find enemies and can take up an advantageous position, do so. I will follow shortly to draw attention and any potential fire... or speak with them as the case may be, though I would be surprised if we found allies whilst so close on the trail of the enemy."
My sneaking skills are less than impressive, I'll come with you Exiel, hopefully that will allay their suspicions about a lone traveler
Aurora moves to follow Exiel, crossbow at the ready.
Martok also excuses himself and stays with Exiel, his eyes and ears open to see if he is needed sooner.
The party as a group moves 10' up the hill without alerting the bandits.
Once the bandits are within sight, the dwarf pulls forth his sling and fitted a round bullet to it. Nodding to the others to make they were all ready with their missile weapons, he lets go of the bullet to the nearest of the ruffians.
But his aim is off; Curse this blasted cold!
Vesna curses, but she lifts her crossbow as well and fires at the men.
Aurora feels as Vesna does, and raises her own crossbow to fire, hoping the tiny volley of missiles will at least intimidate the bandits, or even hopefully allow Marek to ambush them.
The bandits' argument ends, as with surprise, Exiel and Vesna's crossbow shots kill one of the bandits, while Aurora's shot wounds another in the shoulder. With fear in their eyes, the bandits raise their bows, their eyes darting to the sides, looking for an escape.
Aurora:
Exiel:
Marek:
Martok:
Vesna:
Bandits:
Initiative:
Vesna reloads her crossbow and fires at the wounded bandit.
The impromptu winter women warriors fire another volley from their wicked wrathful weapons...
Without seeing the need to close injust yet, the dwarf loads another bullet to his sling and fires away.