Thoros converts one of his remaining spells over to Cure Light Wounds.
"Thank you!" Mara says appreciatively as the last of her wounds disappear.
The night passes without a hitch, no doubt thanks to Rolly's excellent hiding spot. The snow falls heavily throughout the night though and is close to knee height now. Looks like traveling is going to be a bit tougher today.
Ben pulls his cloak tighter, breath steaming in the cold.
"Well, nothin' else for it. Let's strike for the cabin 'fore our feet freeze...", he says, before trudging forward to take his position at the front.
Perception:
Thoros prepares his normal spell list for the day.
He follows Ben as the group heads for the cabin.
"Sounds like a plan, Benny m' boy. That's as good a place as any, seein' as I ain't likely to pick up the trail again after this snowfall."
Mara simply nods in agreement with her companions and hefts her spear as she follows the group, barely noticing the cold weather as she walks lightly upon the snow's surface.
Sticking to the back of the group to insure that they were ready for any attacks from the back, Franz began to ponder what manner of opposition they'd face in that cottage up ahead...if there was any. The icy projectiles that took the farmer's life were clearly the work of an arcane user, whether this arcane user had any kind of support from brigands or beasts he did not know...
"Thoros, Mara Can either of you try to sense if there is an arcane specialist or arcane presence in the area?" He asked, his voice a little distant, as he was still considering any factors that could effect their upcoming battle.
"We'll have to get much closer to figure that out."
The party trudges along the path that they followed yesterday, making it back up to the crest of the hill after a bit of effort.
Looking out over the valley again, the trees look more heavily burdened, their boughs weighed down by the heavy, wet snow. Rocks and brush that sprouted up from the white hillside are now completely invisible. The side of this hill now looks much more like a cliff face. The climb down may have just gotten a bit trickier. Complicating things more is a plume of smoke rising from behind a high snow drift about 150 feet below you.
Sister Mara carefully studies the steep descent as well as the plume of smoke rising from below.
Ben pulls out a rope, looking for a likely spot to tie it off where there may be cover from below.
"Whose up for first drop? Maybe we can hit the ground two of us at once, while the other three pull out bows to return fire just in case?"
Sister Mara carefully studies the steep descent as well as the plume of smoke rising from below.
Nope, no ice, but the footing on such a steep hill with so much snow will be treacherous. Anyone behind the snow drift wouldn't have a good view of you.
Here is an expertly drawn diagram of the situation.
Edit: There should be some trees on both sides as well.
Ben pulls out a rope, looking for a likely spot to tie it off where there may be cover from below.
"Whose up for first drop? Maybe we can hit the ground two of us at once, while the other three pull out bows to return fire just in case?"
There are a ton of trees to tie your rope off to, so that part won't be an issue.
"Think mebbe I should go first, lad. I'm pretty heavy an' if I can get down, it should be safe enough. An' that way, I guard against any other threats that may be comin'. Tie that rope 'round m'waist, and let's get this show on the road."
"I will go down the slope after Skullsplitter, I am more proficient in close combat than I am in ranged combat" Said Franz as his eyes looked upon the slope, he knew that there was a possibility that Rolly and himself could find themselves fighting superior numbers, but ranged support from above would give them an advantage and the element of surprise, and those two factors could very well tip the battle in their favor.
"Send me down third. That way if needed, I can provide some healing support. And I am not too shabby in close combat."
"Arms up, big boy.", Ben says, tying the rope around Rolly's midsection.
"I'll keep an eye out for anyone coming from behind that snow drift," Mara says, fitting a bolt into her crossbow.
Okay, Rolly, Franz and Thoros, give me either stealth or climb checks to avoid knocking a bunch of snow down the hill.
climb
Once the three of you are down, you can hear voices coming from the other side of the snow bank.
Ben readies his bow and keeps his eyes peeled from above.
Perception:
Knocking down the all that snow did not earn them any sort of reaction, unless their opponents were planning to strike at them from the shadows, Franz took a deep breath and was about to step forward before his ears caught some interesting words being spoken not far from here, he placed his pointing finger to his mouth to signal his companions that silence was imperative at the moment.
Franz began explaining to Thoros and Rolly in a hushed voice that it seemed whoever was staying here had not noticed their descent and that they are holding a noble lady hostage, he also mentioned that there were two distinct voices in the conversation but that should not make them assume that there were only two of these kidnappers.
perception
"Yeah, I hear 'em? So what's the play? I say we take 'em out, leave at least one of 'em alive to question. 'Specially about that troll thing he was mentionin'."
Crouched next to Ben, Mara sights down her crossbow toward the snow drift below.
"Yeah, I hear 'em? So what's the play? I say we take 'em out, leave at least one of 'em alive to question. 'Specially about that troll thing he was mentionin'."
"It seems that is our best option" Replied Franz as he unbuckled his two bladed sword from its holster at his back. He had given much to other approaches they could take, but Rolly's suggested plan seems to be both the one most suited to their abilities. The former mercenary looked at his companions, gauging their readiness as he mentally prepared himself for the upcoming battle.
"Skullsplitter and I will charge in first, Thoros before you join our assault send a signal to our units on the upper ground to begin their assault" Said the former mercenary, his serious tone of speech and choice of words falling back to his older lifestyle and profession.
Thoros nods to Franz and checks his buckler and pulls out his morningstar.
He gets the attention of the people up top and signals for them to wait, but be ready.
Rolly hefts his axe. "Right, sounds like a plan. Just say the word, an' let's take 'em down."
pre-emptive initiative
Giving his two companions one last look, Franz raised his hand than lowered it in the direction of the voices echoed in the area. If felt strange to him to issue a charge, he usually waited for someone else to do the charging, before he followed suit if he felt that charging ahead was their best option. The former mercenary charged forward, his hands gripping his weapon and ready to let the blades fly through his enemies.
Okay, here is a map. Ben and Sister Mara are 150' above on the top of the cliff. The dark grey area is the snow drift, you'll need a climb or acrobatics check to get over it. You all have the element of surprise, so go ahead and do your thing.
Rolly hoists his axe. "Ya want me ta go first? Just say th' word, lad!"
Initiative:
The snow drift that stood before Franz caused him to slow his charge slightly, but not completely stop it. Utilizing his charge as a running start Franz jumped upward, raising his left arm as he flew through the air, the former mercenary swung at the snow drift at it, hoping to grab hold of anything he could latch on to.
Realizing he was unheard as he notices Franz run by, Rolly exclaims, "Guess that answers ma question!" and he starts his own charge.
acrobatics
Unfortunately, the dwarf in his heavy armor is no match for the powerful snow drift, and rather than going over, he plows straight through...