EM - [PFS] Baby It's Cold Outside (Inactive)

Game Master Evil Minion

"I'm so glad you're safe." Malusha replies and the blushes just a little when she smiles at him. "I was afraid that those wolves might be coming after you." He glances over at Masym and Jones and sees them recovering from the fight, especially Masym. Phoebee and Terril look like they are doing ok. "Maybe we should go over and help them. You know, we clerics have to stick together."

Slighty miffed that he missed out on most of the action, Terril goes back to the tent and prepares to leave.

"We should get going as soon as possible. Another storm might hit us."

Jones nods at Terril, "Now that we're up, we might as well pack up and get going."

Masym will require at least 6 hp of healing to no longer be fatigued. Now that the sun's coming up, the temperatures will return back to normal (aka just above freezing)

As the wolves flee into the predawn darkness, the camp seems mostly awake now, though the goblins (or at least Mogs, Bloodgash, Storc and the Twins) do not seem overly happy about it.

They immediately start to complain about your treatment of their 'friends'. Fritz and Deiter especially seem upset, though its hard to tell if they are more upset at you or each other, as they take turns jammering at both. Eventually, Fesgus will crawl out of his tent, after everything has settled down and inquire about breakfast... which reminds them all that they have not eaten, and just adds more complaints to the list.

The tent that Mogs, Bloodgash, and Storc were in appears destroyed, with a large section cut out in the middle of it. It will not protect much if you have another cold night.

It is probably another two or three hours to Harvest's End, according to the map Ragna gave you. Though a lot of snow fell overnight, so your progress might be slower than you expect.

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Glad he doesn't understand the goblin-speak, Jones goes about helping break down camp. Looking up at the sky and nodding, "Looks like things have cleared for now. Should be good weather for travel."

Malusha quickly packs up his gear and then finds a quiet place to meditate and contemplate on the things of Sarenrae. After an hour he feels refreshed and replenished.

"Can I take a look at that tent?" he asks when he sees someone packing up the damaged goblin tent. "Maybe I can fix it." Malusha touches the canvas and mutters a few words.

mending: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Casting Mending... maybe it works???

Hmm... the tent weighs 30 lbs... which is outside the limit on mending (1 lb / level).
Now admittedly, that 30 lbs is not all one piece... but I think it might be still outside the 1 lb max you have at level 1

Ok. Missed that. :-) Never used mending before. Thought it would be fun to try.

Malusha's Mending spell just doesn't have the power to fix something as large as this tent. Nice try, he says to himself. But maybe you should practice your mending on something smaller next time?

That's ok... I thought it was going to work too, til I just looked at it now =)

Masym trudges over to the destroyed tent, still feeling the effects from the chill. "Anyone have some twine and a needle?" He asks the others.

FYI: Masym is still fatigued.

Are my actions and questions being ignored?

Phoebee, I don't think anyone is intentionally ignoring you. Malusha mentioned you in his post (looking to see who was hurt). But maybe your questions aren't answered because they are on page 15 and people are only looking at page 16 now. Don't know.

I was denied an action asking for clarification before I did something and then all of a sudden all I get was an AoO

Phoebee: Reviewing the actions of the last round here, it did look like GM-EM did miss your action as Phoebee acted before the wolf had time to withdraw. I don't know what their AC is but a 15 is not a guaranteed hit, plus a Withdraw action does not provoke an AoO. If you think the GM is deliberately ignoring you then I would send him a PM about this.

Yeah, I think it might've just gotten missed in the flurry of posts :(

"That's right!" Nella chuckles, giving Malusha a friendly slap on the shoulder as she moves to have a look at the injured. "These have actually been my first missions working with another cleric; I'm just glad we've not been stepping on each other's toes too much...right?"

As some of the group begins working to pack up the camp, Nella draws her wand and approaches Masym. "We have to quit meeting like this," she jokes almost out of habit, then suddenly blushes a bit as she taps him with the wand. Turning to the two grumpy Twins, she tries to beckon them to hold still for a moment. "You two as well. You know...that was very brave, trying to ride the wolves like that! I bet it would make for a great song," she says, hoping that a little praise might perk them up a bit.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

And their antics *did* seem to help in scaring the rest of the wolves away.

"I think that's everything," she says, looking around at the others. "I'm just glad no one else was hurt!"

I answered the question. And moved things along after waiting for 16 hours without any further response (as I was going to be unavailable later) Did not miss it.
(As for the later post yellow was not a valid target for you, without provoking yourself, and you would have missed the other one you could swing at easily)

My goal is to keep the game moving, so if I don't get responses from folks (or, as is in this case, responses with no actual action included) ... I will press forward after a reasonable amount of time so everyone else isn't waiting too (Admittedly, what constitutes reasonable is up for debate =)) Am fully content to insert actions in retroactively in most of these cases... was moot this time, as combat was over.

In the future, it helps to use conditional responses if you have questions but not a lot of time to check in for the answer (ie: Question? if A then B, else C type of thing) Helpful for PbP anyway.
I know everyone has different access, and am trying to accommodate all of your schedules, including my own, and still progress along.

Nella moves about the camp fixing what damage the wolves caused, as well as chasing away the last of Masym's chill and fatigue. Her attempts to complement the twins falls on uncomprehending ears for the most part, and whatever Storc translates doesn't seem to placate them much... though the goblins as a whole seem to calm down somewhat afterwards... but Fritz and Deiter continue to whisper to each other afterwards throwing the Pathfinders glares from time to time.

Masym takes a look at the goblins' tent along with Malusha, but neither of them are sure just how to fix it at this point. The rest of you get to packing up camp, since everyone is up anyway, though the goblins insist of eating before you go anywhere.

(12 more pounds of food off your encumbrance if everyone eats a normal portion! 20 food rations remain)

FYI, you guys still have an unidentified potion from the tower fight the day before

The sun is just peeking over the horizon as you head out. According to your map, you are very close to the village of Harvest's End, which was apparently where you'll be able to catch a ferry to cross the Rimeflow river. It should only be a couple of hours.

Unfortunately, a couple of hours in all the newly fallen snow takes a bit longer. Though it is still well before noon when you see the smoke and lazy activity of a small village on the edge of a river ahead of you.

Some idea on how you want to approach this (including what to do with the goblins)

"There's no way around the village, so I say that we walk in like we belong and take no lip from anyone. It's then just a matter of keeping the goblins in line, perhaps with some more 'persuasion'..."

"I agree. Let's just go on down." Malusha is a little concerned about the golins' behavior when they get into the village. "I think that these guys," he gestures at the goblins, "are going to be our only trouble." Turning to Nella he adds, "Maybe we can bribe them with some food or a promise of more food?"

"If we walk straight to the ferry, and it's ready to go, it won't be so bad, but if we need to wait . . . these guys are going to get bored. The folks of this town aren't going to like goblins wandering around. Even ones as tame add these."

What if one of us goes down to make arrangements with the ferry first? Maybe Nella, Phoebee and I could go down and make arrangements."

"If that's the plan, one of us fighter-types should go with in case trouble brews."

Masym nods slowly in response. "That should work. I think Terril and I can keep an eye on them long enough for you to find out when the ferry leaves. Just don't dawdle here."

"Sounds good to me," Malusha replies.

But maybe we should wait some RL time to let Nella and Phoebee chime in.

GM, how far is it, in day's travel, from the Ferry to our final destination? Assuming normal travel conditions.

Ready to go!

According to your map, from Ragna... you should be out of Irrisen by the end of the day and hopefully reach the waystation. From there its one more day's travel to Trollheim.

It is a small village, so you might be able to purchase supplies here if need something, though what you can get is limited somewhat by the size. Or ask around for additional info if you want.

Yeah, I was thinking of getting supplies. I'm waiting a bit longer to see if RL Nella wants to add to the thread before we go into town. Lucky me, I have the day off work today so I'm posting up a storm.

"Phoebee, maybe in town you can sing a few songs to entertain the locals. That might help us get favorable terms in buying some new supplies." Uncharacteristically, Malusha breaks into a little jig but it turns out much harder than he expects in the deep snow. He almost stumbles.

Terril chimes in.

"More food would be a good idea. At the very least we can use it to bribe the gobbos."

"I think a few of us going ahead to check on supplies and ferry times is a good idea," Nella agrees. "Same for having Jones go with us. I really don't know much about Irrisen but hopefully no one will bother us as long as we don't make a big scene."

"Are you sure just the two of you can handle our friends for awhile?" she continues, giving Terril and Masym a slightly worried look as she lowers her voice. "They've not been very happy with us and the group being split up would be the perfect time for them to cause some mischief or worse," she adds.

Watching the cleric of Sarenrae attempt to dance, the bard will laugh a bit Malusha, you are a hot mess with that dancing. Try to dance in the deserts and not in the snow, though desserts would sure go down good right now, chocolate pudding with sweet cream and a dash of cinnamon. Or maybe an oatmeal raisin cookie.

Someone should attempt a check to get the goblins to behave for now... and are you going to give them some extra food?

Deciding its probably a better idea not to march the goblins into the village without checking it out first, the party splits up for the bit. A couple staying to watch the goblins while the rest go in.

Let me know who's where for now. (Right now it looks like Terril and Masym staying behind, while the rest go in)

The village of Harvest's End is a quiet place. A few traveling merchants in colorful garb are easily distinguished from the locals, who dress in woolen clothes of drab browns, greens, and grays. There are no sounds of laughter or play here. Fishermen put their catch out for display, while others congregate in small groups and whisper conversations, or clear away traces of the previous night's snowfall.

Smoke rises from the chimneys of uniform but well constructed buildings, most of which are surrounded by small white picket fences.

You will mostly draw covert looks from the locals, but no one seems inclined to cause you any trouble.

Let me know what you're about while here! You can make purchases (normal costs) though any food will be mostly fish (dried/smoked/salted). You can also talk to the locals with the usual sorts of checks for such things, if you're after information.

"Well, this looks like a somber place." Malusha comments as they enter the village. "I think that some of your singing might go over well here, Phoebee. And I promise not to try to dance."

SenseMotive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"Everyone seems to be nervous but I don't know why. Maybe we can find someone to talk to. That might break the ice."

Before they part ways from the others, Nella beckons Storc over. "We're going into the village there to ask about taking a boat ride soon - and to see if we can buy more food. But we need you all to stay with Masym and Terril for a bit first, okay? The villagers uh...need to be properly prepared for your arrival, otherwise they might run in fear of how ferocious you all are!"

And that's...pretty truthful, actually!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

At this point Nella would be willing to give them some extra food but not without some sort of input from the others first.

*******************

"Pretty somber indeed," Nella agrees as they make their way into the village.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"We should probably try to find the local shop or the tavern if they've got one, so we can find out about the ferry and if there's anything else happening in the area we should know about," she suggests.

Jeeze, Nella really has the knack for goblin wrangling

With the promise of food the goblins seem quite excited, and Nella suspects that they will be on their best behavior. At least for a little while. Though Storc looks a little puzzled at the last bit.

"Frostfurs always welcome." He says. "Though also mighty!" He adds, in agreement.

He translates for the others and they all nod emphatically, except for Fesgus, who seems more intent on the promised food.

---------------------------

You will be able to locate a shop, a few outdoor stalls (some locals selling fish, and a more colorful traveling merchant's), and a small apothecary. There also appears to be a small inn.

Asking around will require Gather Information checks. Just buying supplies, not so much. Though the two can happen at the same time. =)

Do any of the shops carry cookies?

I'm going to have to go with no, no sweets of any sort.

To Malusha it seems like the locals are eyeing him and the others with some suspicion. He's not quite sure why. There are other visitors in the village, as evidenced by their brightly colored clothes, but somehow Malusha and his group seem to be getting more scrutiny. Malusha approaches one of the travelling merchants. "Excuse me sir. We are travelling through and need to buy some supplies and arrange for a ferry crossing. Do you know who we should talk to to do that?"

Not even fish cookies?

If you're after information, you're going to be making the diplomacy rolls to gather info.

If you're after supplies, just let me know what you're after

Depends on one's definition of 'cookie'!

"We should try to pick up some more food...I think we'll need it!" Nella whispers to the others. Trying to ignore the suspicious looks, she mills around a bit in what passes for the 'market' and tries to make some small talk with the locals.

"Hello! My friends and I are passing through and we were hoping we could resupply and find out a little more about the area - any hazards on the roads ahead or any interesting news."

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Fish cookies? I love these things...

The merchant, and elderly woman with gnarled hands and rheumy eyes, squints at Malusha and Nella warily as they approach her and ask about the ferry.

"Don't get a lot of strangers here in The End." She finally concedes, as Nella steps in attempting to assuage her suspicions. She nods slightly to herself, as if coming to a decision about you, then smiles, though not with many teeth.

"Sorry. Was some funny business up in the hills yesterday." She waves vaguely off to the north in the direction you came from. "Got everyone on a bit of an edge, yessiree. But you folk look decent enough."

She waves her arm to indicate the various displays of fish, stopping on some laid out in the snow. "Caught fresh by my husband just this morn." She frowns for a moment, "Though s'pose not much use for fresh if yer travelin'. You'll want the smoked ones, or perhaps some a the briners."

She turns to a small sled resting in the snow behind her display, and starts rummaging as she continues to chatter away.

How much food are you guys after? She'll only have so much on her sled.

"Yer lookin' to cross the river?" She tsks. "That means yer lookin' for the ferry." She stands up, her back almost audibly creaking, as she points to the river side of town, but west a bit. "So yer gonna have to deal with Rimetusk." She says that last with some displeasure. "Probably the biggest hazard." She adds with a cackle recalling Nella's earlier question.

As she gathers the food, she continues to talk, telling you about the Ferry and Rimetusk.

You soon learn that he is the towns most notorious resident: an ice troll that operates the town ferry. Assigned the task by the local jadwiga the position has apparently gone to his head and he occasionally flexes his authority just to prove he can or because he's in a bad mood, impeding legitimate merchants or demanding bribes or skimming profits. Overall, it has made him quite unpopular... with the locals and traveling merchants.

Despite all that, the town puts up with him, because if any harm were to come to him, the repercussions to the town come tax time would likely be decimating, as he was appointed by the jadwiga Elvanna herself to the task.

The half-elf will look around the town, looking for something unique and cultural that she might be able to buy, something like a scarf or something that she would be able to use in a story or a song.

"An ice troll?" Malusha asks incredulously. "So how do we negotiate with that?" the shock in Malusha's voice is apparent.

I think we would need two day's worth, for 12 people.

As the group walks about town, Jones will follow the more well-spoken
and keep his mouth shut during interactions with the folks around town, until the mention of "funny business."

"What funny business do you speak of?"

Hmm... Phoebee... I'm not sure if you'll find anything like that. Irrisen is a relatively oppressed society in perpetual winter... so creativity is not really its strong suit. Its all about function.
And this is a small village (population of only 143)
Though the out of town merchant has some interesting Vudrani spices.

The old woman squints at Jones. "Didn't you see it? Up in the hills? The smoke?" She tsks slightly. "S'pose the storm covered it up somewhat, so you might have missed it. But obviously some ne'rdowells up there causing the goblins grief."

"Got the whole town nervous they might come here next." She adds, cautiously.

Heh... basically if you don't put that fire in the tower out in time, you get all sorts of negatives here in town =)

Although she doesn't quite have twenty four days worth of food ready to go in her sled, her eyes light up at the promise of that much business, and she will go back to her home to get enough to cover it, returning with a varied array of smoked and salted fishes to cover the amount. (Apparently, she only lives down the block).

add 24 more rations (and pounds) to the supply! Cost will be 12 gp!

Malusha gratefully accepts the additional food and gives the old lady 12 gp from his purse. "Jones, do you mind carrying this?" he says as he struggles with the 24 pound package.

"Now I suppose we should go find that ice troll and arrange for passage."

:(

"Oh...er....goblins in the hills? No wonder there was smoke then - I've heard all sorts of stories about how much they love their fire," Nella shifts awkwardly. "Good thing we managed to miss them on our way in!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Never did have much of a poker face...

Hoping that their current good behavior and all the business they bring will help allay any further suspicions, the priestess waits patiently for the woman to return with more stock and has no problem with the price being asked. Noticing that Phoebee seems to be looking around for something while they wait, she nudges the bard with her arm. "Looking for souvenirs?" she smiles.

A short bit later...

"You sure, Malusha? I can help cover it," Nella offers once the woman returns with the rest of the food supplies. Though wealth beyond what she needed to get by wasn't high on her priority list she had to admit that the decision to forgo traditional armor left her with more pocket change than most clerics. "And I can help carry some of it too if Jones doesn't want to haul it all himself," she adds a bit stubbornly.

An ice troll?!? You've got to be kidding me. Working with goblins and trolls . . .we'd better at least have a good story to tell at the end of all this.

Jones nods at Malusha, "I can carry it, that's what I came along for." He pauses a moment and turns to Nella and smiles, "Feel free to carry as much as you like. The help is appreciated."

You eventually, if somewhat hesitantly, make your way towards the ferry.

It proves to be just on the outskirts of town, and little more than a large raft, with a rope railing.

Before you get too close however, a form rises up from a nearby snowbank. Towering over all of you, almost ten feet high, is a large humanoid creature with bluish green skin and huge tusks jutting out from its jaws. He is wearing a large white bear skin over his shoulders, and various trophies hanging off his belt, including a large wicked-looking axe that looks like its seen some use.

He snarls at you and almost shouts. "No ferry today!"

You're not entirely sure how to read troll expressions, but he looks annoyed.

Wow! What a magnificent creature you are, I do not think I have ever seen such a great being as you, Rimetusk. Your tusks are indeed so wonderful and you must be mighty if you are going to have slain a white bear. In fact, I think I have a little song about that as she brings out her mandolin.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Rimetusk slayed the mighty bear, alleliua
With one swipe of his great big axe, alleliua
No other trolls were great like that, alleliua
No one mess with Rimetusk the might Troll, alleliuaaaa

Awesome singing.

When the giant troll emerges from the snow Malusha instinctively takes a step back. He recovers quickly and is considering what to say when Phoebee addresses the creature. He can't help but smile at her catchy tune. He tries to nod his head to the rhythm of the song, hoping to give it more appeal.

Assuming diplomacy check so I'm doing Aid Another to boost Phoebee's already high roll

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15