GD3 - Shades of Ice (Inactive)

Game Master Magabeus

You enter the gorge and soon are between two rock walls, just 30 feet apart. The gorge is in shadow, due to the high walls beside you. One you are some 100 feet into the gorge Roderick is watching the different types of rock in the walls. The others hear the rumbling sound of a number of hooves echoing down the canyon, coming from behind you!

You are all within a single move from the sides of the canyon
Initiative
Surprise Round
Cirri
Merida
Pandora
Quinray
Ryskovich
- - -

Quinray: I noticed that your status bar information is not the same as your character sheet. Can you update the status bar?

"Now, what?! What is that?! Run!" scared by the hooves drumming, Pandora starts singing a melody of courage for her companions to stand the attack.
Inspire courage, +1 attack, weapon damage, and saves vs charm and fear
She also steps back trying to place more space between the hooves and the group.

There is no map, is it intentional?

There is no map, is it intentional?

Fixed, also map does not match description: go by the map (so gorge is only 20 ft wide)

not sure where he fits in the order .

Roderick will move away from the sounds, heading south. He will ready to hurl a bomb at the lead animal as much to defend his group as to try to scare them back.

Roderick is surprised

Merida moves west, sheathing her falchion and begins climbing.

Move 5', attempt to climb 25', requiring 4(?) checks

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 101d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Do those sounds like horse hooves?

"I'll put up some cloud cover! Tell me what you see Merida!"

Cirri will delay until everyone else moves, then she will cast Obscuring Mist. This will fill the gorge with mist. Cirri can dispel this freely, so this should give us time to prepare.

As Merida starts climbing, Pandora finally understands what is going on "Climb! Climb up! This is a mammoth stampide!"

"Stampede?!" Quinray then heads to the side of the canyon getting ready to start climbing.

Merida: climb is at quarter speed unless you state that you climb faster (at half speed) by taking a -5 penalty. You take 1 climb check per move action. I will handwave stowing the falchion, normally that would have also been a move action, but I think that you are not traveling with weapons out (this is a surprise round, so just one move action)
Cirri: if you want to discern what the sound is that will cost you a standard action

Pandora is singing, while Merida tries to scramble up the rock face. Unfortunately she fails to find any handholds. Quinray steps to the side of the canyon while Ryskovic and Cirri are trying to decide on the best course of action... Roderick is still mesmerized with the different types of rock in the gorge's side.

Initiative
Surprise Round
Cirri
Ryskovich
- - -

Acted
Merida: failed at climbing up the side of the gorge
Pandora: started inspire courage bardic performance
Roderick: surprised
Quinray: moved to side of gorge

In that case, Cirri will cast Obscuring Mist anyway. She's kinda reckless, but you knew that already. She will move next to Roderick so he doesn't get lost.

Climb, ACP: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 1 = 10

Cirri conjures a field of fog and Ryskovich tries to climb up the sheer slope but fails.

The sounds of hooves gets louder! Is it a good thing you can't see what's approaching?

Initiative
Party!

Within 5 feet of Roderick, Cirri taps him on the shoulder.

"We gotta get up, and fast. Hopefully this is just an ambush on horseback and not a mammoth stampede!"

Cirri tries to climb up.

Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

As Cirri slides back down to ground level she mumbles, "Knew I should have prepped Monkey Fish!"

Ryskovich, once again tries to climb up the cliff face.

climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
climb attempt #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Remember that you can use a standard action to take a move action. In other words you get two chances to climb up if you want

Cirri and Ryskovich fail to move up from the ground

Oh yeah, Cirri does get another shot. In that case ignore the spoilered block.

Climb #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Cirri leaps upon the wall and climbs with all of her might!

"If you get on top of the wall, throw a rope down, quick!"

Thought you might want to take a second chance ;-)

Cirri and Ryskovich both manage to climb up a bit, they are both clinging to the wall at 7.5 feet above the ground.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Quinray begins climbing the wall.

are we technically in combat/distracted yet or can we take 10?.
Roderick nods and starts to climb
Climb : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Pandora pronounces some arcane words and she suddenly starts changing her shape. Her mouth becomes larger turning into a snout, her skin turns thick and white growing warm snowy hair, her hands turning into those of a wolverine creature. She is now a wolverine humanoid of the snow plains, an Adlet!
+2 Str, 40 feet speed, low-light vision, scent and bite attack

With her new mobility the woman jumps over the cliff and starts climbing with ease!
Climb+AS Str-Half speed: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 - 5 = 18

She moves up, trying to climb at half speed, while keeping her inspiring song up!

I added the negative penalty for going up at half speed, I hope it is enough to climb 20 feet!

Merida tries to climb up again.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

I missed we get two climb checks. Also, is the bard song helping climb skill or combat? Not included in Rod's rolls

"I do not like the sound of whatever it is heading towards us.
How are we coming with that rope?

climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Pandora is inspiring courage, not competence. Take 10 is not allowed, the sounds are rather distracting.

Everyone is clinging to the wall at different heights. Above you the top of the gorge is still a long climb away 50 ft high. The thundering sounds of hooves comes closer and closer and is almost upon you! Besides the thundering hooves you also hear other animal sounds.

Initiative
Cirri @7.5 ft
Merida @10 ft
Quinray @7.5 ft
Roderick @15 ft
Ryskovich @7.5 ft
Pandora @20 ft

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
"Hmm. Good news! It's not mammoths. It sounds more like cattle."

Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Cirri continues climbing up the rock cliff. Hopefully she can get a better vantage point once she's above the 20 ft cloud.

"Cattle may not be as bad...as long as we are above them."

Roderick looks up and does not like his chances of succeeding to the top without a rope.

"I may wait it out here, rather than risk falling, only to be trampled.

Cirri climbs up and sees a horde of stampeding aurochs heading towards the place where just moments ago the pathfinders were standing. You guess that you are safe if you have climbed to a height of at least 10 feet.

Initiative
Merida @10 ft
Quinray @7.5 ft
Ryskovich @7.5 ft
Pandora @20 ft
---
Acted
Cirri @22.5 ft
Roderick @15 ft (happy where he is) Delayed

The Adlet Pandora continues climbing at his best and singing.
Climb+AS Str-Half speed: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 - 5 = 16 20 feet

She makes a final effort to climb up to the top and look the stampede.
Climb+AS Str: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19 Last 10 feet

The adlet looks at the aurochs as they come "Oh my! That's horrible! Climb! Climb up!" she sings.

K(nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
"Aurochs huh? Let's see how high I can get."
Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Merida shouts up at Pandora, "Hey! Since you made it up there so fast...how about a rope for the rest of us?!"

I personally know that you couldn't have done it in one turn, but Merida's hands are getting tired, and she's getting grumpy.

The barbarian stays put in order to keep from falling, and assuming she's high enough.

climb 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
climb 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Ryskovich grabs a stone and puts his weight on it, only to feel himself falling! No damage, since you where below 10ft Quickly he stands up and scrambles up the cliff wall. Just moments later he sees a mass of brown, red and black aurochs emerging from the mists! The valiant halfling breathes a sigh of relief that he is clinging to the wall and not standing where he was just a few seconds ago!

Changed your second climb to an accelerated climb, taking a -5

Pandora tells everyone to stay fixed and then lowers a knotted rope to the other climbers. It takes some minutes Pandora's Alter Self expires but eventually everyone is safe on the top of the gorge. You find your way back to the trail as depicted on the map. Just where the path rounds between two steep embankments, a dozen Kellid warriors with painted faces stand vigilant in the center of your route.

Although they are armed with axes and round, Ulfen-styled shields, their weapons are not drawn. At the head, a tall and powerfully-built figure with piercing eyes steps forward. As he approaches, his hands are held palm up until he is close enough for words. “I am Hiryla,” he says in broken Common, his words flowing with a strange cadence that suggests that he is speaking words that were given to him by another to say. “You come with me… We must talk.”

See map for his picture

You know, that was just such another cool moment! And definitely worth the 1 point invested in climb even if I never use it again.

As Pandora throws the rope to Merida she says "I hope late is better than never."

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

Pandora bows in front of Hiryla with empty hands and speaks in Skald.

That said, if no one raises a reason not to, Pandora follows Hiryla and his group to talk.

Fun fact: when I played it and we discovered the trampled tiger we where like "No way that we are going through that gorge, we will take the long way around" ;-)

Hiryla looks at Pandora as if she is speaking gibberish, both when she was speaking Skald and when she transfers to Common.

"Come" he repeats and then he says something in

Roderick breathes a sigh of relief as he finishes the climb with the rope and joins the others with the tribesmen.

"Out of the frying pan as they say..."

Always put 1 point into Climb and 1 point into Swim...you never know when you'll need it!

Cirri manages to keep her mouth shut while Pandora as a Adlet helps the others up. Transforming like that always intrigues her...

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Cirri says hello in Common, Dwarven, Elven, Aquan, and Auran. Not getting a response (besides probably "Come") Cirri shrugs. "Well, let's follow them and see what's going on."

Quinray stays quiet and follows the group while trying to get a read on Hiryla. Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Merida follows hand-on-hilt. Being a barbarian, it might surprise one to know, has actually made her more wary of barbarians, not less. readied attack if she smells funny business Sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

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Ryskovich clambers to the top, out of breath as he does so.

That WAS not ny idea of a good time. Next time, we go around if we see a tracked tiger. .

He is on edge when the man approaches, but ease up slightly when he isn't hostile. He lowers his weapon, and looks at him with a suspicious eye.

You have no idea Roderick...you have no idea how true that is, he says with a chuckle. Ryskovich goes along.

Have patience please, next update at the latest Monday

Hiryla sets off due east, just south of the path laid out on Skagni’s map. After about an hour’s travel you spot plumes of smoke over a low rise.

Over the hill, you see a camp at the base on the other side. This village is composed of small, round houses and low, long buildings built of stone with thatched roofs. The rectangular, round-topped buildings number almost 20 in all, gathered around a central, circular building that is larger and grander than the rest.

You enter the village behind Hiryla, who leads you into the large central building. Inside this grand hall, dozens of Kellid men, women, and children scurry to and fro, passing food and drink around an enormous central hearth. Long, low benches ring the fire, and a handful of elderly Kellids, decked out in ornate white furs sit on the other side of the flames from the building’s entrance.

A young woman with one leg, walking with the aid of a crutch, greets Hiryla in Hallit, and then turns to the door and speaks in perfect Common. “Welcome to the North,” she says with a broad grin and a handshake. “My name is Teyma.”

Teyma tells you that the Snowmask Clan has skirmished with a group of travelers out of Irrisen many times in the last few days as the intruders have come farther and farther into their lands. Initially, they attempted to talk with these outsiders, but they were attacked, and fought back.

Now that you have agreed to talk, Hiryla and the elders want to know why two companies of foreigners have come into their land along
the same route in such a short time.

After the brief introduction, Teyma again speaks. “The elders want to hear your story. Tell us of your clan, and what brings you here. If the tale is good enough,” she adds with a smile, “we will tell you ours.”

Cirri scribbles tons of notes as they enter the village: the local customs, the animals, the people here and their customs.

She's also smart enough to let Pandora lead this one.

Pandora accepts the greeting and steps to the front.

"Thank you Teyma of the Snowmask Clan." the woman dampens her lips preparing herself for the long exposition "My name is Pandora Soulkeeper of the Grand Lodge tribe. These here are my companions, and yet, you were true when you guessed we are in a mission related to that other foreigner company."

She takes sit comfortably as offered then resumes her explanations "The Keep of the Huscarl king. There is where they are going. They plan to steal an artifact of ancient power from your lands that is told to be there." the bard waits to see what is the reaction of the elders around.
Sense Motives: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"Their group is known as the Shadow Lodge and they are lead by a woman named Melkorka. They are a danger to our tribe and all the lands of the South, specially if they got their hands on such a powerful weapon, as they only intent to use it on their own behalf. That's why we were send here to stop them immediately and make the world forget about the existence of such a weapon. We want no harm to the people of the Snowmask Clan, and we ask your pardon for entering your territory. With all our respects, we will accept if you prefer us to leave now, but we will much prefer to help you get rid of those invaders from this land. And so, what do you think?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Might be worth a diplomacy aid +2 for a final 25 check

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
"...Yeah! What Pandora said." Cirri manages to stop writing and assist Pandora...barely.

Roderick has nothing to add to the conversation, so he quietly listens to any response and observes the elders reaction to Pandora's explanation.

Pandora, can you give me a perform (Oratory) check?

Teyma translates for the other elders. After Pandora's accusation of the Shadow Lodge they quietly nod but do not seem to be very surprised.

Merida keeps a close ear.

Pandora exposes the story trying to totally convince the elders will.
Perform (Oratory): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Regretfully, she is much better singing than structuring a speech.

Feel free to roll yourself if any roll is missing ;)

This was an important roll and I hate to make those for PC's

The clan members listen attentively. When Pandora is finished Teyma asks

"And what does your clan stand for?"

Pandora likely starts again but Teyma puts up her hand "Let someone else tell that part"

Who wants to take the podium? Perform (Oratory) check included please, but the important part is the speech itself, not just the roll.

perform (oration): 1d20 ⇒ 20

Merida is reminded a bit of her own tribe by these new people which is rare in her experience. She chimes in, "We stand for all that is right and good, as well as loyalty to one another, and finally, courage in the face of danger."

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"W-wow. Um, I'm kinda nervous around crowds, really."
Cirri puts down her notes and stands up. Clears her throat. Fidgets with her staff.
"Pathfinders. We Explore, Cooperate and Report. But we do more.
I'm a woman of the sea at heart. But the chance to help people, and see wonderful communities
(although not as great as yours!) is well worth exploring."

Cirri does a quick spin and flourish as she mentions how great the town is.

"These Shadow Lodge losers though. All they want is power. They destroy and corrupt
everything in their path. We don't want to interfere with your livelyhoods,
but we would like to drive these intruders out, if you don't mind."

Perform(Oratory): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Cirri sits back down, still a bit nervous from speaking so openly.