GM Eddv's Shades of Ice Trilogy [PFS] (Inactive)

Game Master eddv

These are all members of the Snowmask clan - you can tell fro mthe distinctive tatoo markings they have chosen. The lower half of each of their faces is covered in white paint. They are Kellids, not Ulfen.

This looks like it was a fierce battle - but not with each other. With a third party.

Also one of them is still - just barely - alive.

Rushing down to the dead and dying of the Snowmask clan, Ulfric shakes his head at Teric's remark, chanting softly in his mother tongue, he places his hands upon the dying Snowmask survivor, calling upon his innate powers to seal the man's wounds.

clw: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"Nae Brother, these are not Ulfen but Kellid of the Mammoth Lords. Excuse me warrior, who was your foe in this fight?"

diplomacy if needed: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

"Did we miss another good fight? Maybe stopping to buy those snow shoes delayed us too much."

Haakon looks around to make sure no enemies are still lying in wait, which he clearly is hoping for.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

The man doesn't seem to understand common, but when Ulfric switches tongues to Kellid, the man is able to quickly relay what happened, deciding to trust that Ulfric means him no harm. "Other defilers came - battle was almost full cycle ago, given position of sun. Headed inland to our sacred lands, we tried to stop them. Terrible witch struck us down.

As he relays the story, Haakon spots not an ambush but a dire Wolverine who is feasting on dead Snowmask. He also spots Haakon and lets out a roar.

Initiative Haakon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Initiative Ulfric: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Initiative Bolger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Initiative Teric: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Initiative Lucrezia: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Initiative Dire Wolverine: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

ROUND 1
Wolverine
---
Bolger
Ulfric
Teric
Haakon
Lucrezia

the Wolverine gets MAD when it sees Haakon and charges on his position before Haakon can react.

Wolverine Bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 161d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Unready for a fight, Haakon gets bitten pretty viciously by the wild beast

ROUND 1
Wolverine
---
Bolger
Ulfric (-10 HP)
Teric
Haakon
Lucrezia

Bolger rushes around the walls and tries to hide in the shadow while drawing his short sword.
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

Lucrezia will cast acid maw on Plunder.

Are we on the grey map, number 2?

Plunder will move up to the wolverine and Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage and 1d4 ⇒ 4 acid damage, plus additional acid damage for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds.

crit?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 nope.

Acid Maw
Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: 1 minute/level
Your animal companion’s bite attack deals an additional 1d4 points of acid damage, and the acid deals another 1d4 points of acid damage to the target on the next round. The acid continues to deal damage for 1 additional round per 4 caster levels (to a maximum of 6 total rounds at caster level 20th). This ongoing acid damage doesn’t stack from multiple attacks, but the duration resets if a newer bite would cause the ongoing damage to last longer than the duration remaining from a previous one. The acid does not harm the animal companion.
Appears in : Advanced Class Origin

Teric moves up quickly and then points to the wolverine. A ray of pure cold shoots out of his hand towards the animal.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Haakon is caught off guard by the creature's sudden appearance, but he quickly comes to his senses. He grabs his shield from his back and throws it over the creature's head. It bounces off the nearby wall and flies straight for the creature!

Time for some silly fun with throwing shields around. Thanks to feats and class features Haakon doesn't provoke when he throws his shield now, and it returns to him at the end of his turn.

thrown shield attack, point blank shot: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20 thrown shield damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12

The shield then bounces off the floor as Haakon steps to one side of the beast and catches it again with practiced ease.

"Not what you were expecting, eh beast!"

For now Haakon does not have his shield equipped so his AC and flat footed are down by 2. I plan to have him use his spiked shield as a 'defensive' shield on one arm while using his mithril 'offensive' shield to throw around.

Noted Haakon, also we're on map 1

ROUND 1
Wolverine
---
Bolger
Ulfric
Teric
Haakon (-10 HP)
Lucrezia

Captain Ulfenrica aka Haakon and Plunder both tear into the Wolverine, causing it to fly into a rage, which allows even the obstructed shot of Teric's ray to strike the beast.

My bad! Sorry guys all got hectic!

Ulfric rolls his shoulders and lets out a bellow as his Jarl is struck by the snowbeast, with a fierceness in his eyes the Skald draws his sheathed axe as he charges the creature, striking out with a fearsome blow.

Battle axe, magic, Charge: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 = 12 for damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

This fight was so dumb

Before the wolverine knows what hit him, Ulfric knocks the last little bit of life out of him and he hits the ground

In the meantime the remaining Kellid runs off in the opposite direction of where you need to go.

Ulfric's axe cleaves into the creature causing it to drop to the floor in a pool of blood, feeling sorry for the natural beast, the Ulfen Skald stabilizes the creature so that it can recover.

"Well, there goes our information! So my friends! Shall we move on? To the Keep and eternal glory!"

He also heals his Jarl's nasty bite.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Well, I guess we continue on. It seems like these invaders will leave a wide trail for us to follow." Teric kneels down and checks several of the bodies for anything useful.

As you make your way further into the snowdrifts you hear horns from the south and then minutes later horns from the north answering them

After being directed to rest in a cave in these snowy snwdirfts you come across a druid circle where you are ambushed by Kellid warriors. Since this encounter is insultingly easy for a group of level 4 characters you quickly dispatch these warriors, question them in Kellid and they tell you they attacked you because you were trying to meet up with your friends who arent all that far ahead of you on the path.

At about this point, it looks dark, so you go back into the cave to rest for the night.

When you wake up before you go on the holder of the map realizes that its going to take your group, with its heavily armored skald, 10 hours which is going to be a heck of a hike.

I can use

Ulfric stands in the cave, enjoying the blisteringly cold winds with a satisfied smile, his natural affinity for the frozen lands of the Linnorm Kings and the magical spell around him causing him to feel no discomfort.

"More Kellids, they must have meant the Shadow Lodge ahead? I guess there is no time to waste eh comrades?"

"Agreed. If they're that desperate to slow us down they send these weaklings at us then we must be getting close!"

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Lucrezia gathers up all her belongings, making sure nothing was dropped, Are we going now?

Yes that actually will do it, which circumvents ANOTHER encounter and some environmental damage, look at you guys go

The group hustles through the mountains, making incredible time thanks to some uplifting hiking songs from Ulfric

As the group crests one mountain they see a blizzard hot on their tails that they just manage to outrun as they arrive at the cave described on Rangvald skaldi's map. As they settle in a couple of group of small dinosaurs are seen skittering by the group, trying to avoid conflict and paintings are seen all over the insides of this cave.

The paintings depict a castle at the base of a mountain. Outside the castle, a large creature with wings and a long neck lies on the ground before a figure lifting a huge red axe over its head to strike. Other humanoid figures cluster around the scene. The mural is then interrupted by a repeated design: two mammoths with a smaller one in tow marching east. This motif is repeated over and over in an orderly line from the top wall of the cave to the bottom. There are 30 copies of this design.

The next scene shows the wielder of the red axe lying on a raised mound within the castle, his weapon clutched to his chest. Other figures leave the castle carrying large bags on their shoulders.

The drawings continue on the other side of the cave, showing an avalanche cascading down to cover the tower.

The last drawing shows more of the humanoid figures standing over the edge overlooking the castle’s previous location, while four drawings of the moon in various states arc above the scene. In this last picture, all of the humanoid figures have a smear of white color around their lower faces.

Breathing deeply after a full day's march through the snow, but feeling as id he had taken a stroll, Ulfric lays back and relaxes in the cave, his curious eyes examining the paintings across the wall. The creature with the long neck fascinates him as does the Mammoths makingg their way from the tower. After a few moments of study the Skald speaks.

"Da a trove of history! The Mammoth Lords must paint rather than keep their tales for Skald tales. This shows the Huscarl King with his mighty Axe, I guess this is a drake of some kind, maybe a dragon or Linnorm? I'm not sure about the Mammoths but maybe the Huscarl Kings followers leaving him?

The lying down must be when he is dead, the men with bags are looters and despoilers? And there is the avalanche we were told of. The men with White faces muat be the Mammoth Loed Trive! Not t sure what it means for us, if only we could work out what the Mammoths meant."

Ulfric goes silent once more, pondering the mural through his mind as he listens to any suggestions from the others of their band.

knowledge ?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"These drawings are all well and good, but i prefer my tales spoken by skalds and told around a campfire!"

Even with his preferences made clear, Haakon still shows appreciation for the history of these warriors laid out in front of him.

Haakon is unlikely to have any clever things to add to this conversation.

"We do at least know that the tales seems to be correct." Teric examines the mural and checks it for any signs of magic or secrets.

Cast Detect Magic
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

The axe-wielding figure in the first scene is different from the other humanoids depicted, as he is shown with a white beard, a feature uncommon among the Kellid peoples. The painting of the three mammoths symbolizes migration, and each painting of three mammoths stands for the passage of a single year. The moon in its various stages symbolizes eternity or a period of time that cannot be depicted with the migration symbol, usually meaning hundreds of years.

The detect magic uncovers a small trove of goods left by a long-dead looking kellid tribesmen, including a +1 studded leather armor suit 3 bandages of rapid recovery*, 2 masterwork throwing axes, a +1 bolas, a potion of barkskin, 2 potions of endure elements, 6 pairs of snowshoes*, a fully charged wand of longstrider carved from a smilodon’s tooth, cloak of resistance +2, a potion of cure moderate wounds, 5 topazes worth 50 gp each.

As you're investigating all of this, Teric hears a pair of footsteps approaching, the footsteps echoing in the cave as something approaches from the entrance, unsure of who - or what they belong to.

Ulfric whistles at the trove uncovered by the search as he mentally stores the iformation of the fall of the Great Huscarl King, a tale of Ulfen legend surely untold amongst his people for sometime, adding his name to glory.

"I shall take the throwing axes, i do not need the potions due to my scrolls so others feel free. The potion of healing will be useful for another that hangs back in battle, Lucrezia or Teric?"

Taking the axes, the Skald goes back to examining the paintings, unaware of the approaching steps.

Teric takes the healing potion. He glances at the snowshoes. "Well, we didn't have to buy those after all!" He chuckles. "Jarl, you may want that potion of Barkskin, and Lucrezia can use the wand I think."

He stops just then and listens. "Someone is coming!"

Haakon accepts the potion and places it in his haversack.

"Anything that can toughen my already weathered skin must be magic indeed!" he says with a laugh.

On mention of someone approaching Haakon quickly cuts the laughter and gets straps his shield to his arm in case of danger. He listens carefully to see if he can hear anyone.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Ulfric laughs along with his Jarl's joke, his nickname of 'Ironpelt' being well earned indeed! Upon hearing Teric's whispered warning, the Skald too brcomes all business, readying his shield and placing his hand on the battleaxe at his belt, praying for a worthy fight he waits patiently.

"Let us hope they are the Shadow Lodge, my axe cries for their blood, if it is the Kellid we shall have to hope this does not come to blows."

As the group lies in wait, it is not Shadow Lodge sneaks...but Dinosaurs, looking to settle into their den...and they don't like company.

ROUND 1

Dinosaur Red
Dinosaur Blue
---
Teric
Bolger
Ulfric
Haakon
Lucrezia

The first of the feathered dinosaurs and runs and pounces for Haakon, while the other goes for Ulfric

Pounce Haakon (flatfooted): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 251d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 51d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 141d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Both of its talons tear into Haakons flesh, he is then bit and clawed at with his smaller foreclaws once.

25 damage

Pounce Ulfric (flatfooted): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 171d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 171d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 131d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 41d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Meanwhile, Ulfric and his heavy shield fends off all but one of the creatures rapid pounce attacks

3 damage

ROUND 1

Dinosaur Red
Dinosaur Blue
---
Teric
Bolger
Ulfric (-3)
Haakon (-25)
Lucrezia

Before the others can close with the dinosaurs, Teric raises up his hands and tries to blast the create. He ducks his head down defensively to avoid any claws that it might try to strike him with.

Concentration check (DC 16): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Unfortunately, trapped in the corner, he is unable to get the motions right as he avoids a lunge by the dinosaur. The spell fails in a series of popping sounds.

Actually Teric, you have soft cover from the cave corner. That will of course cut both ways, but it does mean you dont need to roll a Concentration check

Hmm, ok. I didn't see that wall outcropping. Then, it's Cold Burning Hands time!

Teric unleashes a sheet of blue cold flames at the dinosaur.

Modify to Cold.
Burning Hands: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 3) = 9

DC 17 Reflex save for half. if he fails, he's also slowed (-1 to attack, AC, Reflex. Half Speed. and Only a move or standard action).

Dino Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Perhaps aided by the cave corner, the dino is able to avoid the main brunt of the cold hands.

ROUND 1

Dinosaur Red
Dinosaur Blue (-4)
---
Teric
Bolger
Ulfric (-3)
Haakon (-25)
Lucrezia

Caught almost by surprise from the vicous onslaught, Ulfric thanks Gorum for all the ahield practice he has done. Drawing his battle axe in a smooth motion, the Skald strikes out at the territorial dinosaur with a mighty swing.

battle axe, magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 for Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Bolger stabs the dinosaur in front of him with his short sword.
Stab: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Haakon grabs his other shield and throws it towards the wall behind him. He steps to one side ready to catch the shield after it ricochets off the dinosaur in front of him. All the time he keeps his other shield ready to block the creature's attacks.

thrown shield attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 = 27 thrown shield damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Lucrezia will send Plunder to attack Dino Red. Go get him, boy, he isn't your relation!

Talon 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage

And she will move forward and swing her mwk cold iron Switchscyth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 and if she hits will deal 1d6 ⇒ 3 damage.

After vicious hits from Haakon and a couple grazing strikes from plunder and Bolger, the dinosaurs look a bit shaken, but contoinue their assaults.

ROUND 2

Dinosaur Red (-15)
Dinosaur Blue (-6)
---
Teric
Bolger
Ulfric (-3)
Haakon (-25)
Lucrezia

The first continues to assault Haakon, sensing blood

Dinosaur attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d20 ⇒ 171d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d20 ⇒ 21d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The other turns, looking away from Ulfric and moving on to Bolger who hit him.

Behind his shield, he is able to fend off most of the attacks, but an errant Talon scratches him deeply above the eye.

Dinosaur attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 181d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 ⇒ 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 41d20 ⇒ 51d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

but the little halfling is able to somehow dodge all of his various appendages.

ROUND 2

Dinosaur Red (-15)
Dinosaur Blue (-6)
---
Teric
Bolger
Ulfric (-3)
Haakon (-32)
Lucrezia

Seeing no chance to begin his raging tale, Ulfric takes in a deep breath and raises his head to the sky, letting out a fearsome Battlecry to bolster the spirits of his allies and make them fight harder.

"For The Society! For the Jarl! Fight my Kinsman!"

Battlecry as a swift, granting +1 attack and +4 vs fear for 1 minute

He then swings with his axe.

axe, magic, cold iron, Battlecry: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 26 for damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Teric draws his sickle, a man-made approximation of the dinosaur's own claws. Instead of striking with it though, he casts another spell giving a silent shout towards the reddish dinosaur.

Cast a Cold Ear-Piercing Scream at Red
Ear Piercing Scream: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
DC 17 Fort Save for half. Failure means Red is Dazed and Slowed for 1 round.

Also, Teric is now armed and providing a flank for Bolger

Seeing the opportunity to flank the creature, Haakon steps back next to the wall and swings his spiked shield at dinosaur in a rapid flurry of attacks.

flurry attack 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 flurry damage 1: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

flurry attack 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 flurry damage 2: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Lucrezia will send another round of attacks by Plunder at Red.

and will swing her mwk cold iron Switchscyth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
1d6 ⇒ 3

Last post for two weeks. I'm leaving in about 2 hours and will be gone until 8/13 at the earliest.

Bolger stabs the dinosaur once more.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Sneak: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) = 10

My understanding is that for the same reasons that you can't be AoO'd from that spot, you also can't provide a flank. You can use your move action on something else Teric

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

The dinosaur is clearly shaken by the loud noise in its ears, which allows Bolger and Ulfric to slash into it viciously taking the dino down.

Meanwhile plunder Lucrezia and Haakon all finish off the other dinosaur, leaving the defensive territorial beasts on the ground bleeding out.

End of combat, and your map has you resting in this cave for the night so i assume you spend the resources it takes to heal up before moving on. Was there anything else you wanted to do in this cave before moving on?

With the dinosaurs felled, Ulfric rolls his shoulders and sheathes his axe, feelig the euphoric rush of combat pounding in his blood. Lookin out the cave to find it late the Skald returns and starts setting up their bedroll.

"Nae point in setting off now, may as well go by light of day. We should prepare watches. I'll take it first as I want tae memorize the story here"

On his watch, Ulfric will read the cave paintings and take the occasional note for an upcoming tale.

"Do you have any healing magic Ulfric? One of those creatures sliced my arm a bit there. Either way i will gladly take second watch. Wake me when you're ready."

"Da of course my Jarl, I can call upon the Skald's blessings to serve upon your will!

Ulfric chants softly and uses his magic to close his Jar's wounds.

cure Mod: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 3) + 5 = 16

cure Mod: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (3, 8) + 5 = 16

Teric heals Ulfric's minor wound before the groups settles in for the night.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

So the group leaves and makes their way down a large slope as they pass over the mountain.

The shriek of a snowy owl dances off the high, rough walls of ice and rock inside this gorge, and the long shadows inside make it feel like evening rather than midday. Although the canyon provides a direct path through the rocky terrain of this area, the other side is almost invisible from the entrance. In the snow drenched plains leading to the gorge mouth, primeval aurochs and bison paw at the new snow to unearth scrub grass.

The walls of the gorge are 50 foot high and the only way forward is through the gorge.

Ulfric takes a deep breath to enjoy the bracing cold wind from the gorge they now stand in, the Ulfen's eyes widening slightly in amazement at the scene before him.

"Well friends, it would seem we are near to our prize! Shall we press on my Jarl? I feel a grand tale to be told at the end of this!"

The eager Skald hefts his shield and unsheathes his deadly Axe, moving slowly onwards into the snowy gorge, activating the light on his Wayfinder should it become any darker.

The group lights a light as they make their way through the narrow gorge. the group is proceeding cautiously and makes their way about 100 feet into the gorge where the light is certainly helping their visibility.

They see the herd of bison at the other end of the gorge eating peacefully when suddenly a few loud cracks are heard off in the distance and a loud thunder begins to pick up as those bison go from peaceful and calm to riotous herd rapidly approaching your position

Ulfric
Lucrezia
Teric
Bolger
---
Herd
---
Haakon