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

Game Master Evil Minion

Malusha: Sure. =)

As for tents... Check entry on those very same items!

Seeing Masym, buying a tent, Jones will buy a Medium tent as well.

Do we need pack animals to carry stuff?

Phoebee: I can't imagine why... though I don't know what you purchased! =)

For the early part of your day, you find yourselves trudging through deep snow across open swaths of tundra and low foothills. You will spot all sorts of different creatures off in the distance, most of them extremely large, though none of them come close enough to be any kind of worry. Wooly mammoths plod along in small herds, massive elk with antlers twice the size of a grown man, and even a giant sloth at one point. Although it is as cold as Irrisen was, the presence of the megafauna make for an entirely different feel to the journey.

Around midday, you finish traversing a patch of dense evergreen trees and find yourselves atop a low hill, looking down on what appears to be evidence of a recent battle!

At the bottom, the snow is littered with the aftermath of a fight. Broken shields and spears jut from the snow like fractured bones, and blood colors the ground around a sprawl of bodies, many still seemingly locked in combat.

Masym waves everyone to a stop. "Recent battle at the bottom of the hill. I don't like this at all. Could be a trap." He gives the two clerics a meaningful look, knowing their tendencies for mercy. "Jones, let's check it out. Once we give the all-clear then we can look for survivors."

Once Jones has prepared himself, Masym moves closer to the battle site eyes watching for ambush and also for signs of tracks.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Jones drops his backpack and tent, draws his bow, and walks with Masym to the battlefield.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

nice perceptions, guys! you both rocked it!

Phoebee would like a pet baby wooly mammoth so she can ride it into town and sing Prince Ali!

Masym slowly makes his way down the slope, eyes alert for trouble, and Jones follows not far behind, bow in hand.

They quickly discern at least ten bodies lay scattered about. Half of them appear to be native kellids with axes and wooden shields, while the other half wear more 'civilized' garb, though from a distance it looks like most of the later have been stripped of much of their equipment.

The snow in the area is trampled down, indicating far more folks at one point, and Masym can make out tracks heading off to the northeast, though is not quite close enough to ascertain more then that just yet.

Because both he and Jones also notice the site is not abandoned!

They hear it first, some sort of snuffling and grunting sound... and then they see it, as a large fur-covered head pokes up from behind a snowbank, and starts sniffing the air with teeth bared.

For a moment, you think it a bear, due to its size, but quickly realize it is in fact the biggest wolverine you have ever seen! It's muzzle is covered in blood from where it was apparently feeding on some of the corpses. But now it seems to have gotten the scent of intruders, and you see it trying to pinpoint your location, dark eyes filled with rage!

I apologize for the map, was the best generic snow plane image I could find. Had to draw the grid lines on manually =)
The 'path'-looking area is actually the slope of the hill. DC 10 acrobatics to descend it at full speed, perfectly safe to descend at half speed

No surprise round, as you were not trying to be stealthy, and its well... a big hairy beast! =) Though you did spot it early!

Oh, and of course, animals (even overly -large ones like this) fall under the Knowledge (nature) umbrella!

-- Round 1 -----------------
Phoebee, Nella, Malusha <---- We are here!
Wolverine
Masym, Jones, Wei Tchak

The folks on the hill, with the better angle (and from a safer distance) react first!

That big animal is just pretty hungry. But still, I dont want to eat us, though it might like to eat Wei Tchak, the taste of chicken might be the same as crow, never having eaten crow I don't know. \

She begins to sing
Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight ship
Goin' anywhere
Just a Taldan
Born and raised in Last Wall city
He took the midnight ship
goin' anywhere

To inspire her comrades

"Oh wonderful..." Nella sighs as she wobbles her way down the small slope, arms out to try and help keep her balance. As she reaches the bottom she flicks her wrist and produces a very familiar-looking wand, which she waves in an arc over the party.
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Nella moves at half-speed down the little slope (so 15 feet) and then produces and uses her wand of Bless. 37 charges remaining.

Phoebee, we won't stop believing...

Malusha flips his wrist and a wand snaps into his hand. "Hey, this is pretty handy," he says to Nella. He then waves the magic weapon wand over his crossbow. "I hope this helps me with my shooting."

UMD: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

No matter how much Malusha shakes the wand over his weapon, it doesn't seem to do anything. "Oh well, I'll try again next time." As Nella slowly descends the hill Malusha unslings his crossbow.

I don't get to use that mwk crossbow anymore, right?

Then Malusha remembers what he heard about the Kellids. He shouts down to Jones and Masym, "Guys, be sure to watch out for an ambush. This whole thing could be a trap."

Malusha, magic weapon is on the cleric spell list, you do not need to UMD it. (and yes, the mwk crossbow will be gone unless you decided to purchase one)

As Phoebee starts up an inspiring song, Nella and Malusha both produce wands. Malusha uses his to temporarily enchant his crossbow, while Nella once more blesses the group's efforts!

The wolverine's eyes, finally manage to narrow in on the people invading its territory, and lets out a angry growl, as it clambers up over the snowdrift, and quickly shuffles over towards the nearest intruder, teeth bared and huge claws cutting up giant furrows in the trampled snow.

Wolverine just double moves... it will attempt tear Masym a new one in round 2! =)

-- Round 1 -----------------
Masym, Jones, Wei Tchak <---- We are here!

-- Round 2 -----------------
Phoebee, Nella, Malusha
Wolverine

Group Buffs: Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage), Bless (+1 to hit)

Party is up!

Tchak also moves double his normal speed to try to get around the wolverine...

Need a DC 10 acrobatics check to move at full speed down the slope, Wei Tchak... else you slip!

acro dc 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Jones uses a move action to gain Rapid Shot and looses an arrow at the beast.

Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Point-Blank Shot, Deadly Aim, Bless, Inspire Courage

Masym grits his teeth and slips into a defensive stance before striking at the wolverine.

Round 1:
Move: Use Studied Action on Wolverine.
Attack: Fight Defensively. Longsword, Bless, Study, Inspire, Defensive: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 9
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STATUS: Fight defensively (AC 21); Studied Target => Wolverine.

Now down the small hill Nella pulls out her crossbow as she moves forward, hoping to get a better angle for a shot at the wolverine. With the creature having closed quickly on Masym however, she calls upon Shelyn's blessing to protect him from harm.
_______________

Nella will move to her current map position and draw her crossbow as part of her move action. Then she'll use Blessing of the Faithful on Masym to give him another +2 to his AC.

Ok, so my weapon is magic now.

Malusha pulls back the lever arm on his crossbow. "Ok. Let's take this monster out." He aims and fires.

crossbow, bless, courage, into melee: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 9

Jones fires a single shot, from his newly enchanted bow, and the arrow sinks deeply into the furry beast's hide, eliciting a howl of rage as it's eyes narrow and foam starts to form around its blood-covered fangs.

Masym, trying to be more cautious as the wolverine looms over him, follows Jones's shot with a slash of his own, using a shiny new sword he purchased to replace the one shattered by Vermund. Despite his defensive stance, he scores a telling blow, which only serves to enrage the creature further, as it looms over him.

Concerned for his well being, Nella says a quick blessing to Sheylin to protect him as she pulls out her crossbow.

Malusha, crossbow already in hand, fires at the creature from the top of the hill, but despite the magical enhancement, and the good vantage point, can't quite connect in the chaos of the melee.

Wei Tchak, not wanting to be left out, easily skates down the side of the hill and hustles across trying to work his way around the beast!

-- Round 2 -----------------
Nella, Malusha, Phoebee <---- We are here!
Wolverine
Masym, Jones, Wei Tchak

Group Buffs: Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage), Bless (+1 to hit)

Phoebee still to go!

Keeping up her inspiration the half-elf will create the sound of a larger wolverine coming from the larger bush to try to scare the wolverine away.

DC 13

Hmm... its an Advanced Dire Wolverine... not sure what sort of wolverine gets bigger =)

Phoebee tries to create the illusory sounds of a second wolverine to distract the real one, but it just seems to drive the creature deeper into it's rage!

Despite readying himself for it, Masym is not quite as prepared for the ferocity of the wolverine's attacks as he thought! He only just manages to deflect the massive jaws as they try to clamp down on his head, but the claws that follow prove too much.

Even with his defensive stance, and Nella's blessing, the creature's massive claws slash with such force that he is nearly knocked off his feat. Blood starts to flow freely through massive gashes on his armor. The smell of blood seems to only drive the creature to further frenzy! (26 damage to Masym!)

-- Round 2 -----------------
Masym (-26), Jones, Wei Tchak <---- We are here!

-- Round 3 -----------------
Nella, Malusha, Phoebee
Advanced Dire Wolverine (-18)

Group Buffs: Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage), Bless (+1 to hit)

Party is up again!

The AC plan was great... but alas, the dice fell my way!

Tchak finishes his circuitous route around the wolverine, giving it a wide berth, and steps into flank with Masym, spending a point from Oblivion's arcane pool to enchant the sword to do more damage.

to hit: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Jones raises his bow and takes 2 quick shots at it.

Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Masym groans in pain as the wolverine savages him badly. For a moment he briefly considers holding his ground, but knowing he could not withstand another flurry of attacks like that he decides to withdraw and protect Nella.

"I gotta withdraw here!"

Round 2:
Full: Use Withdraw action to position on map. Due to his Careful Combatant trait, when using the withdraw action, both the first and second squares of your movement are not considered threatened by any opponents you can see, rather than just the first square.
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STATUS: Studied Target => Wolverine.

Alas, poor Wei Tchak, we knew him well!

And 'protect' Nella? Way to sugar-coat it =)

How beat up does the wolverine look?

Though thankful that Masym had the presence of mind to withdraw after the wolverine's brutal assault, Nella is still horribly aware that it leaves Tchak vulnerable and the creature's next likely target.

"Hurry up and kill this thing, quick!" she cries as she calls upon Shelyn for a spontaneous burst of healing to keep Masym on his feet.

Cure Moderate Wounds (Masym): 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
_____________

Nella will use one of her Spiritual Weapon castings to spontaneously cast Cure Moderate Wounds instead.

The wolverine doesn't look much worse off then when it started... but it was covered in blood to begin with, so its kind of hard to tell.

[ooc[ Maybe wolverines like the taste of chicken, lol [/ooc]

Less chat, more action! Waiting on you and Mal =)

Sorry for the slow response. Crazy at work...

Malusha loads another bolt into his crossbow and fires at the wolverine. He hopes that he can at least distract it from making an attack on Tchak.

crossbow, magic weapon, bless, courage, into melee: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 5

Unfortunately the bolt flies harmlessly into the air.

Delaying Phoebee for now.

Tchak moves into a flanking position with Masym and thrusts his katana into the wolverine's flank. In response, Masym then retreats from the creatures reach, moving back towards Nella, who says a prayer and heals some of his open wounds.

Tchak, you didn't include inspire or bless ... added them in for you. I won't always remember! =)

Jones fires two more arrows, though only one of them manages to pierce the animal's thick hide. Malusha tries to shoot it as well, but despite the magical enchantment on his weapon, he can't seem to line up his target.

The wolverine, obviously now heavily wounded, seems to hang in the fight through pure stubborn determination and fury, as it turns on Wei Tchak as the most immediate source of it's pain. The massive jaws clamp down on Tchak's shoulder nearly lifting the tengu off his feet before he can knock them loose. The claws come at him with wild abandon, and it is all Tchak can do to fend off one of them, before the second slashes across his chest, leaving another large bloody wound. (22 damage to Wei Tchak)

The snow beneath them becomes red with the blood of both.

-- Round 3 -----------------
Phoebee, Masym (-15), Jones, Wei Tchak (-22) <---- We are here!

-- Round 4 -----------------
Nella, Malusha
Advanced Dire Wolverine (-41)

Group Buffs: Inspire Courage (+1 to hit/damage), Bless (+1 to hit)

Party is up again!

Wei Tchak waits a moment to see if anyone steps up to flank with him, then attacks whether they do or not he plans his attack, striking once and then after a quick cast of arcane mark in combat but defensively, he strikes out at the wolverine again.

to hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 12 +2 if flanking
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 7

cast arcane mark defensively dc 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

to hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 20 +2 if flanking
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 8

Jones looses two more arrows at the beast.

Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8

Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14

Malusha watches as the wolverine bites and slashes at Tchak and he realize that Tchak is going to need some help. Nella can't do all of the healing. Carefully, Malusha moves down the slope towards the fight. Once he gets to the bottom of the hill head straight to Masym and Nella.

Half-speed move down the hill, then use standard action to move

Keeping up her inspiration the bard will play a confusing melody on her mandolin in an attempt to daze the wolverine,

DC 13 Will

Daze only works on humanoids, Phoebee.... and you'd have to move closer to cast it anyway (30' range)

Masym nods in thanks at Nella before rejoining the fray...

Round 3:
Move to position on map. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Attack: Fight Defensively. Longsword, Bless, Study, Inspire, Flank, Defensive: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 + (1) = 8
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STATUS: Fight defensively (AC 21); Studied Target => Wolverine.

Acrobatics not needed, it doesn't have reach... but I suppose it always looks good!

Phoebee continues to inspire her allies, and tries to befuddle the wolverine with a few discordant sounds, but her magics are ineffective.

Wei Tchak waits for Masym to rejoin the fight, which he does: diving and rolling back into his original position and thrusting his longsword into the creatures side. Tchak then stabs at the creature as well, though the wolverine bats his sword aside. Undaunted, the tengu says a quick arcane spell, and whirls around with another slash, this one scoring a long cut along the animals neck, leaving a glowing line where it struck.

Malusha carefully works his way down the slope, knowing he will need to be closer to assist with any healing.

Jones then lines up two perfectly placed arrows. The first sends the wolverine into a frenzy as it bites at the shaft in pain. The second hits right behind the head, sinking deeply, and the creature pauses just a second, then collapses to the ground in a huge gurgling exhalation of breath, even it's anger unable to keep it going.

Combat Over!

Status:
Phoebee, Masym (-15), Jones, Wei Tchak (-22), Nella, Malusha

The battlefield once more goes quiet, only the dead and the victors remaining.

"Good shot Jones!" Malusha moves next to Nella. "We need to heal people here."

Malusha waves everyone to get close enough and then he calls on Sarenrae and channels positive energy a few times.

channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5
channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6
channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Nice rolls

Masym nods in thanks of the healing before he turns his attention to the corpses littering the battlefield. "Like to know if there are any survivors here, or if those Khellids," he points to the corpses of the native kellids with axes and wooden shields, "are still lurking around here."

As Malusha calls on the healing powers of Sarenrae and sends out bursts of positive energy... he will find the effects hit more then just his fellow Pathfinders.

Suddenly one of the bodies, who you thought was long dead, coughs up a mouthful of blood, and rolls over groaning slightly. One of the kellid warriors partially buried in the snow apparently has some life left in him!

Masym is all better. Tchak will be down 5 hp.

Before the healing commences, Tchak will take his blade and do a coup de grace on the wolverine so it doesn't get up again from the healing burst. Once that is done, he'll give Malusha the nod to go ahead.

"THanks for that healing... I feel much better... a little too close to touch and go there for my taste.. Oh look... one of the fallen is feeling better too.. maybe he can tell us what happened here."

"Whew...that was close..." Nella breathes, then her eyes fall on the stirring warrior in the snow. "Oh! There's someone still alive!"

She hurries over to the man, pulling out her healing wand as she kneels down next to him. "You're okay, you're okay...just hold still for a moment and we'll get you patched up, okay? I'm glad we stumbled on you in time," she says as she carefully gives the man a tap with the wand.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Charges remaining (27).

As the healing magic does its work, she glances over her shoulder at the still-injured tengu. "Don't worry Tchak, I've not forgotten about you," she smiles. "Do you want me to finish patching you up or would you rather use your uh, own wand?"
___________

Nella obviously finds Infernal Healing rather distasteful but not enough to really pester Tchak about it, hehe. Also if the man doesn't seem to understand her Nella will try repeating her message in Skald.

The kellid man seems to take a moment to get a grip on his surroundings, and at the sight of Nella kneeling over him, he starts to panic. Snarling angrily, he tries to crawl backwards and away, looking around for a weapon. Seeing none in reach, he starts speaking in Hallit, not appearing to understand any of Nella's words (in either common or Skald).

As the healing magic wash over him, and he realizes that maybe you are not immediately trying to kill him, his mood seems to change slightly... from open hostility to more cautiously neutral.

He says some more words, again in Hallit, as he eyes you all suspiciously.

Elsewhere, now that there is no immediate threat of large hairy animals trying to tear you limb from limb, you are able to get a better look at the site of the battle.

All of the non-kellid bodies at the battle sight here, seemed to have been stripped of any valuables. All that remains are clothing and bits of padded armor.

All of the kellids, including the one so recently revived, seem to still have their weapons (mostly spears and wooden shields) laying nearby still. You note the kellids have their faces painted in white, in varying patterns from the upper lip down to the neck.

After Nella heals the man, Jones walks over to him

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Malusha approaches Masym and whispers quietly to him. "We need to be careful. The Kellids are known for ambushes. We can't discount that this might have been an ambush gone awry. There might be more enemies hiding around here." Speaking more loudly Malusha asks Jones, "Is he from the Snowmask Clan?"

Jones gives Malusha a quick nod to his question.