GM Aram Zey's Reign of Winter for PFS part 1 (Inactive)

Game Master SwampTing

Knowledge Arcana
[b]Exiel:: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
[b]Guilford:: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Exiel would be able to tell you that it is some sort of dragon, though thankfully definitely not one of the 'true' dragons. Probably some sort of lesser cousin, the same way wyverns and linnorms are related to the true dragons, but hopefully this creature is even less deadly!

Old soft target - well played sir

Since the beast is amended to appear next to Mu and attacked on this round, I will move Mu again using withdraw.

"Shoot the lizaad, shoot the lizaad!"

I'll take the mw chain shirt - AC19 now. The snow giving -4 is specific to this combat? Did the cold iron seem to have an effect?

Badr shoots.

1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 4 = 7
1d12 ⇒ 9

Badr reloads with a standard cartridge and takes a 5 ft step back.

Shu peeks over the snow and sees the monster right near him. His eyes go wide with surprise, but his trained intellect reacts.

"啊!! 噴色!" A colorful burst of light blasts from his stubby fingers. Without waiting to see if the spell worked, he scrambles backwards away from the thing.

Color Spray DC 14

Exiel shouts out the above information to the group in between cussing about the snow hindering his movement...

I would have changed to one of the studded leathers from the loot under the chest. Given how hindered our movements are, I reckon the extra mobility is will worth the 1 AC... Will also take a shield.

Double move...and cursing all the way. I hope the 1/4 movement speed is not permanent either...

Unfortunately, Badr, you can't 5ft step in difficult terrain. The creature was not particularly affected by the cold iron one way or the other, but since Exiel identified it as a dragon, he suspects that the creature has no particular weakness against cold iron.

The heavy snow affects all rolls outdoors, unfortunately. But it affects opponents as well. The 1/4 movement is unique to this area, as the local geography has resulted in a particularly deep layer of snow. However, the forest (at least the areas out in the snow) have a general 1/2 movement penalty, counting as difficult terrain (no 5ft step or charging).

will save for creature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
The creature snarls as it shuts its eyes just in time to avoid the burst of coloured light that you project into its face. It notices that you too are rather small, and unarmored, and possibly nonetheless tasty. Unless someone else grabs its attention, you think it may be coming for you next!

Now waiting on Eldanar. Mu, you can take your action too, since you go before the creature in the next round.

Eldanár saw Badr´s shot go amiss too and doesn´t hesitate long before letting go of the musket, drawing his sword and going in to slash at the wanna be dragon.
Nodachi: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 131d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

You trudge through the snow and take a swing, the reptilian creature twists out of the way, and whilst your blade makes contact, it glances off the hardened scales of the creature.

Mu, you're up, then creature will bite Eldanar.

Mu gulps down his sole healing potion and reengages the melee.

Potion CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Although your blade failed to penetrate its scales, you are now the closest creature it can attack (without moving and provoking an AoO anyway). The creature rears up and lunges at Eldanar.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
grab if hits: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Edit: Oh, that's ugly. Eldanar cops 6 points of damage as the creature sinks its teeth into him. It clamps its jaws down tight, and using it as leverage, winds its sinuous body around the gunslinger. It brings its face up close to Eldanar's, and its chest (at least you think it should be its chest) puffs up as it takes a deep breath...

Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform.

Everyone else can now take their actions.

Ahhhhh! Help me! Quick!

Badr shoots again.

1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 4 = 12
1d12 ⇒ 9

Add + 1 to hit and damage as its within 30 ft

He reloads with a standard cartridge.

Sensing that his ally is in danger, Exiel drops the shield in his off-hand, steps up to the creature and takes a swing.

attack!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Edit: Damn, 1 shy of a crit threat. And glad I went 2-handed, since the damage roll sucked...

Cautionary mention that Badr is firing into grappled melee.

”Let him go!”, Mu moves up and lays into the creature with his spear.

spear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5;1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 ::sigh::

Precise shot covers that

Ah yes, my bad.

The heavy snow is giving Badr some grief as he attempts to get a bullet into the blasted creature, but he manages to overcome the obstacles to land a well-aimed shot in the creature's chest. The creature rears back in pain as Exiel steps up to bring his newly-acquired blade down on the creature's back, tearing a deep gash, cutting through the creature's spine. It slumps to the snowy floor, now dyed red in the creature's blood.

Badr´s shot didn´t hit? It´s touch AC right?

Eldanár tries to break the grapple and wiggle himself free.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Badr´s shot didn´t hit? It´s touch AC right?

Eldanár tries to break the grapple and wiggle himself free.

[dice=Escape Artist]1d20 + 3

My bad! I misread some stuff as I was also attending to something at work!

Have amended the previous post to reflect how things actually turned out. =)

I'll leave some time for you guys to handle the aftermath of the battle. I imagine some healing will be dished out. =) Will check back in about an hour or so.

Badr hands his wand of cure light wounds to Exiel to tap the wounded.

Tricky thing with gunslingers. Muskets hit touch AC up to 40 feet, with some grit action more.

As the creature slumps to the ground, so does Eldanár, but he is on his feet again quickly, picking up his sword and musket. Only after removing the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.

Thanks my friends. Thought i will end up as a dragonsnack. Awful bad breath that thing, i tell you.

Digging in his component pouch, Shu looks up to see the dragon-creature's defeat at the hands of his companions.

"Oh... Uh, many thanks Eldanár. I think you save my hide." He wades over and pats the halfling on the back. "Good thing too. Was about to use some real magic. But I suppose the laws of nature can remain unbroken for now. Hee!"

Stroking his beard and looking around, he adds. "Creature seemed to possess intelligence. Might have lair nearby with treasure."

I'll just use one charge on Eldanar. Mu drank a potion.

CLW Eldanar: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Edit: That...works perfectly! =)

If Mu is till injured tap him. Marking off 2 charges.

Eldanar, you have no idea...that thing's nasty against a level 1 party...next round, it would have raked as a free action, breathed poison gas in your face to soften you up, and THEN the round after that attempt to drag you under the snow to suffocate you!

Well, I assume that's all the healing needed. Only Mu left at down 2 hp. Badr, if you make the call, I'll assume Exiel taps Mu to put him at full.

The creature appears to have been hiding under the snow, and you cannot see any tracks to follow. I could drag this out, but it's a dead-end. =p

You press on beyond the gully into the woods once more, still following the very deep, very visible horse-and-boot tracks in the snow.

Feathered bundles and strange fetishes hang from the lowest branches of the trees in this part of the forest, swaying and shifting in the wind. All are stuck through with small pins holding pieces of leather bound around them.

Perception checks coming up, need to attend to something at work.

Perception checks
Exiel: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Badr: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Mu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Shu: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
Guilford: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Eldanar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Ted: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 (Scent)

You have been walking for almost an hour now (fort saves will be coming up), and the monotony of seeing trees, trees and more trees has dulled your senses somewhat. The first inkling you have that you are not alone in this part of the forest is when a few of those pins you saw in the feather-bundles come flying out from the nearby trees towards you!

attacks are against the person rolled(based on the above order):
attack on: 1d6 ⇒ 2
attackroll: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 4 = 15
damage: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

attack on: 1d6 ⇒ 5
attackroll: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 4 = 16
damage: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

attack on: 1d6 ⇒ 1
attackroll: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 4 = 15
damage: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Exiel, Badr and Guilford each take 1 point on non-lethal damage. However, even the pin-prick of those tiny arrows chills you to your bone!

Fort saves (in the above order)
Badr: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Guilford: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Exiel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Exiel and Guilford manage to shake off the cold, but the chill numbs Badr momentarily (you are staggered for 1 round).

Initiatives
[b]Exiel:: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
[b]Badr:: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
[b]Mu:: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
[b]Shu:: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
[b]Guilford:: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
[b]Eldanar:: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
[b]???:: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Strangely enough, although numbed by the cold, Badr is the first to react to the new threat!

Map coming right up

Do I see who shot me?

Creatures' stealth checks
1d20 ⇒ 3
1d20 ⇒ 2
1d20 ⇒ 7

Perception checks
Exiel: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Badr: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Mu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Shu: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
Guilford: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Eldanar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Ted: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 (Scent)

The creatures attempt to hide after their round of sniping, but they have given away their location, and you can see them...relatively clearly. They appear to be tiny...no, VERY tiny blue humanoid creatures with elfin features and gossamer wings. They hold the tiniest bows in their hands and have little swords buckled at their sides. They would come across as cute, were it not for the malicious expressions on their faces.

map - spot the tiny creatures!

Note that they are in the squares....horizontally. VERTICALLY, they are about 30ft in the air...

Badr, Guilford & Exiel, the one who shot each of you is the one closest to you. Oh and ignore the white 'S' in the middle of the map. It is nothing.

Badr spots one just 10 feet away and 30 feet up and within point blank range, likely the one who shot him.

Musket still loaded with standard shot and chilled to the point he is unable to reload.

1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 7
1d12 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

He misses spectacularly.

Without any reachable weapons, Mu readies his spear until one gets near.

Guilford carefully aims his crossbow, and shoots a bolt at the creature nearest him.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Cold Iron Bolts 17/20

The combination of their small stature and the falling snow makes it frustratingly difficult to land a hit on the dimunitive creatures, and all your shots go wide.

Exiel...can't do much either...will take full defence action for now. Call out if you need healing, guys.

Badr: Assume that I will use your wand for you at will, just roll the healing as many times as you want to use charges. =)

Yep, for the moment - for that matter, Gil can be carrying my wand of infernal healing, or old Shu if there is moral issues.

Shu has plenty of issues, but no moral ones. Heh.

"Mu, why you stand around scratching head? You forget we in a fight?" Shu holds up his crossbow and his monkey grabs it, then hops down and brings it to the other old geezer. "Take that and do something useful!"

Shu then turns back towards the creatures just in time to get a face full of magic.

EDITED: fey went off first I believe.

Oops, realised I forgot to have the creatures take their turn!

Hmm...With all 3 of the realising they've been spotted, they get a little desperate. They descend to 15 ft, raining sprays of colourful light to attempt to disorient Badr, Eldanar, Guilford and Shu (basically, all those who can affect them!)

Will saves:
Badr: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Shu: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Guilford: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Eldanar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Edit: Oh damn...Shu and Eldanar are:
unconscious, blinded, and stunned for: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4rounds, then
blinded, and stunned for: 1d4 ⇒ 3rounds, then
stunned for 1 round

This will hurt....

Edit: well the good news is, Shu, that you save that use of splintering spear...

Shu: roll a will save for your monkey. If he passes, he can act on your turns. XD

What level was this module made for? Jeez... Though the chances are not good, I'd like to take my Character Portfolio reroll now please.

Reroll (if possible): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Yeaaah no.

It was for level 1 characters. It is literally the start of the Reign of Winter adventure path! XD The up-side is that they do bugger-all damage. Personally, I hate this fight...it seems to be potentially the most tedious in the entire book. But it's there in the book, so we gotta get through it. =(

At least I found a pretty map for it.... =p

Its a wee bit dangerous... can we wake them with heal checks or doing damage etc

Pu's Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 Figures..

Apparently monkeys know better then gnomes when to close their eyes and put their head in the snow, because as the light fades from the fey magic Pu comes running towards Mu with a crossbow and cold iron bolts.

"You shaddup!", Mu bends down to take the crossbow from the monkey, righting up, "Shu? Shu!".

If GM allows, Mu changes from ready action to dropping to prone next to Shu (5') and loads a cold iron bolt.

Even if you could do something about the unconsciousness, they are still stunned for 8 rounds. I can't see anything under the heal skill or the spell description that can mitigate it. =(

If you can find something to remove the statuses, I am more than happy to accomodate!

Mu: That is fine.

Badr, with Eldanar and Shu out of commission for the moment, it's back to your go, then the little guys.

I'd love to drop an encouraging hint, but none of you have ranks in knowledge nature! XD

"Fi'ah!", Mu screams.
cold iron bolt, lt.crossbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4;1d8 ⇒ 3

"F-!"

Shu has the Storyteller trait, though that may require consciousness...?

Also, try to track where that missed bolt went, if they might be recoverable. How many cold iron bolts does Shu have?

Badr uses his move action to reload a cold iron cartridge.

Bang! 1d20 + 7 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 3 = 17 (add +1 to hit and damage if within 30)
Damage 1d12 ⇒ 3

Finally a decent roll and I get a crappy damage

To comment about something that hit you, you generally need to be conscious after said thing hits you, yes. =p

Badr: you line up your shot, taking good aim at the foolish little creature that dared to come so close. The little creature cries out in pain and agony, screaming something in a foreign tongue as it points to you, and draws another arrow, firing upon you!

attack roll: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 4 = 20
damage roll: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
your fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Its closest friend (in proximity and friendship) also takes aim and fires on you.

attack roll: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 4 = 20
damage roll: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0
your fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Whilst the last one, seeing Mu pick up a crossbow and take a shot at it, responds in kind.

attack roll: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 4 = 14
damage roll: 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
your fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

I believe Shu had 4 cold iron bolts coated from the weapon blanch. Also, keep in mind it's a small-sized light crossbow and only does 1d6 damage. Actually, there were 3 skuriken coated with weapon blanch as well. Mu should have those, correct? Now that the little buggers are closer to the ground he might have a chance to hit one.

-could have happened before he went down :)

I didn't think there was any point in trying to remember anything useful about these things. With all the cold iron flying around I just assumed they were fey.