Reign of Winter by GM Niles (Inactive)

Game Master nilesr

Staggered by the icey blast, there's little Sven can do but pull his cold-iron blade from its sheathe as he trudges through the snow toward the hut. His muscles ache and groan from the cold, but he needs to get closer...

Single move action to get inside the hut while drawing his longsword - Square just to the right of the doll.

Round 1

mersisiel will touch winter and let her power do what is does best.

Healing Hands: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Winter howls in pain and tries to retreat, but Gauthier keeps her focused. His eyes narrow as he realizes there is little he can do against a flying opponent. He gets his sling ready, but prefers for now to rely on something these creatures understand better than anything else.

Fire!

With a flick of his wrist, a tongue of fire leaps in his hand and he flicks it at the floating doll.

Produce Flame, range touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Combat Round 1
Tenpenny says Guys that thing doesn't look friendly then she loads her handcrossbow and moves.
Argentea hides behind the party.
Soulbound Doll begins casting a spell! Winter, Sven and Hassan are buffeted by numbing cold. all three take 10 and Sven is staggered!
Gauthier fires a bolt of fire at the floating construct, but misses.
Winter whines and holds next to Gauthier
Hassan fires a bolt of holy fire, striking the doll for 4 damage.
Kirraak fires his bow, missing the doll.
Sven draws his weapon and moves up.
Merisiel heals Winter for 4.

Combat Round 2
Tenpenny fires her handcrossbow Hcrossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 missing
Argentea begins speaking in her commanding voice again, everyone gets +1 to hit and damage. [2/10]
Soulbound Doll floats down and attacks Sven, provoking an AoO from him Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26Longsword?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 and he hits the doll for Longsword: 2d8 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (3, 2) + 14 - 5 = 14 the doll stabs him with her tiny dagger Dagger: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 hitting for 1 nonlethal damage and Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 1 cold damage and forcing Sven to save versus the extreme cold that flows through its tiny blade! Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Gauthier
Winter
Hassan
Kirraak
Sven
Merisiel

Round 2

Merisiel will try her slumber hex on the doll Will DC 16 or sleep for 2 rounds

Stepping away from the frosty ring and towards the strange hut, Hassan will look to heal himself, casting Cure Light Wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

”Why can’t we do anything without killing?” curses Kirraak before shooting another arrow at the doll.
Atk: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 26
Dmg: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Gauthier, when noticing the doll flying down, urges Winter forward, and the two of them run together to join Sven.

Winter tries to snap at the strange doll, while Gauthier hits with his flaming hand.

Winter: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 1 + 1 = 131d6 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 3 = 91d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 = 16

Flame touch attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 151d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9;

Combat Round 2
Tenpenny fires her handcrossbow missing
Argentea begins speaking in her commanding voice again, everyone gets +1 to hit and damage. [2/10]
Soulbound Doll floats down and attacks Sven, provoking an AoO from him and he hits the doll for 14 the doll stabs him with her tiny dagger hitting for 1 nonlethal damage and 1 cold damage and forcing Sven to save versus the extreme cold that flows through its tiny blade!
Gauthier shoots a bolt of fire at the doll but it dodges through Sven's legs.
Winter Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6 falls unconscious as the numbing cold persists in this round.
Hassan heals himself for 6
Kirraak fires his bow hitting the doll for 2.
Sven
Merisiel* actions posted above

Just to clarify, I'm no longer using range touch, but touch attack, as I moved beside Sven.
Oh, and doesn't Winter still have enough hit points?

Satisfied as his blade carves deep into the animated doll, he is simultaneously shocked to find that the toy not only remains intact but shakes off the brutal strike. His surprise is only compounded as the dagger glides across his arm. Ice begins to flow through his veins, stinging from within and making the cold weather that surrounds them that much more hostile.

Sven roars loudly, shaking the inside of the hut and lunges at the doll, hoping rather to hold the mysterious plaything still while his more able minded friends assist. He drops his blade to the floor and lunges.

Enters Rage (Round 1)
Attempting a Grab, may provoke AoO

Grapple: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Hahaha, oh my...

Winter took nonlethal damage and her nonlethal damage is more than her current HP. A touch attack would hit, I calculated it as ranged touch. I will modify. The attack does 13 damage as the doll is vulnerable to fire.

Combat Round 2
Tenpenny fires her handcrossbow missing
Argentea begins speaking in her commanding voice again, everyone gets +1 to hit and damage. [2/10]
Soulbound Doll floats down and attacks Sven, provoking an AoO from him and he hits the doll for 14 the doll stabs him with her tiny dagger hitting for 1 nonlethal damage and 1 cold damage and forcing Sven to save versus the extreme cold that flows through its tiny blade!
Gauthier shoots a bolt of fire at the doll hitting for 13
Winter takes 6 cold damage and falls unconscious as the numbing cold persists in this round.
Hassan heals himself for 6
Kirraak fires his bow hitting the doll for 2.
Sven attempts a grapple and fails.
Merisiel attempts to slumber the construct, and fails.

Combat Round 3
Tenpenny draws her sword and moves.
Argentea draws her sword and moves.
Soulbound Doll attacks Sven again Dagger: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 hitting for 1 more nonlethal and Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2 cold damage. Sven must save versus paralyzing cold! Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Sven shakes off the cold.
Gauthier
Winter
Hassan
Kirraak
Sven
Merisiel

Why would a doll sound like a small child?
"I'm curious about this doll. Disable it without destroying if you can" says the strix
Atk: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 15
Dmg: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Round 3

Merisiel will move close to Sven and lightly touch his back, letting her power once again heal the Nordic warrior.

Healing Hands: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Another blast of ice jolts through his body, this time more painful. A light touch from behind renews his vigor. But his stubbornness propels the giant forward, opting to wrestle the doll to the ground rather than lunge for his discarded blade.

Rage Round 2
Grapple Attempt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Meri, I have used Healing Hands already on Sven today. Healing Hands used on Merisiel, Sven, Argentea, Hassan, Winter. I was keeping track since you left me to DMPC you, also what spells does Meri know, I didn't see it anywhere on your sheet.

Current spell memorized are just under the header spell (CL2) L0: Detect Magic, Light, Daze L1 (4/Day): CLW X3, Mage Armor

DM: please consider that mersisiel was casting a CLW (i'll cross it off) for the same effect on sven

Thanks, I must have missed some of the damage Winter has taken. Can you tell me where you have her at?

Gauthier presses his advantage and tries to press his burning palm againts the doll, ignoring Kiraak's plea.

Flame touch: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 81d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Meri, I meant spells known not what is memorized. Witches act like wizards in that regard, they have a spellbook in a sense, I was wanting to know what spells are in her spellbook. Hassan,I'd like to know the same thing for you except that Inquisitors are spontaneous casters so you only have a set number of spells that you know.

"I say, we must destroy that possessed doll before it bewitches us all. Save your blasted curiousity for things that aren't evil." cries Hassan to Kirraak, firing another bolt of flame at the doll, but the spurt of fire, flies wide of the hut entirely, as the inquisitor slips on the icy ground.

Standard Action - Fire Bolt, Move action - move 10' to the south trying to encircle the hut. (20' if not rough terrain). Flame bolt 2/6 used today.

Flame bolt, ranged touch, into melee: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 = 0

Combat Round 3
Tenpenny draws her sword and moves.
Argentea draws her sword and moves.
Soulbound Doll attacks Sven again hitting for 1 more nonlethal and 2 cold damage. Sven must save versus paralyzing cold! Sven shakes off the cold.
Gauthier attacks with fire but misses.
Winter lays unconscious as the blistering cold continues Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Hassan moves and fires a bolt of holy flame, but misses.
Kirraak fires his bow but misses.
Sven grapples the doll! He is holding the Tiny construct.
Merisiel heals Sven for 6

Winter is currently at 3/22 and has taken 7 nonlethal. I didn'r specify this but yes, the snowy area is rough terrain and covered in over a foot of fresh unpacked powder.

Combat Round 4
Tenpenny stabs with her sword Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 hitting for Sword: 1d6 + 3 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 5 = 1
Argentea keeps up her inspiring words [4/7] and attacks the doll with her blade Sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 hitting for Sword: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6.
Soulbound Doll [grappled] attacks Sven with its dagger Dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 hitting for 1 nonlethal and Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2 and forcing Sven to save versus paralyzing cold! Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Gauthier
Winter [unconscious]
Hassan
Kirraak
Sven [grappled]
Merisiel

Finally gripping the possessed doll, despite the biting cold that continues to scream through the dagger, he wrestles to maintain his hold.

Round 3 of Rage
Maintain Grapple: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Able to maintain his grip, Sven then pins the doll to the ground in an attempt to prevent the continuous stabbing.

Action from maintained grapple to pin the doll.

Gauthier does his best to keep his mind on the combat, instead of turning to help his companion. He moves with the left foot, and shifts his weight the other way, while sending his burning hand in a wide arc.

Burn!

Flame touch: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 151d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Hassan continues moving around the small hut, double moving to the southwest opening.

The strix will keep attacking.

Atk: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 25
Dmg: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Gauthier's flame causes the doll to break apart, a long sigh issuing from its body. You notice that the doll's eyes are mismatched. One is a mirror and the other is a beautifully cut blue gemstone. From the mirror you hear a man's cry of rage as the doll crumbles.

From behind you the phantasm from the maze forms into a young Ulfen girl with blonde hair and chillingly blue eyes. She addresses herself to Gauthier and Sven ignoring the others

Thank you....I was so cold. You must stop Teb.. and Radosek...tell my momma that I love her. and the form begins to get wispy and fade until it is indistinguishable from the now heavily falling snow.

Do you thing she was an illusion? Or maybe she was the doll? asks Kirrak.
He then will take some time to search the doll body and the hut.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Kirraak the only thing you find of value is the fist sized gemstone that served as the doll's eye, Appraise DC 15 to value it but it looks worth a lot.

You do see arcane looking siguls and writing in the hut now that you have looked closer.

Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

The hut is warded to keep spirits inside and has some tie to the maze outside. If we destroy the hut, the maze will be destroyed also

Merisiel will carefully inspect the now broken doll

anything to know what it was and how these construct are made DM?

Sven quickly tries to mask the welling of water in his eyes, wiping it quickly on his fur lined sleeve and looking around at the others to make sure that nobody noticed. Maybe it was the exhaustion of the fight, maybe it was the nostalgia of seeing the young ulfen girl, or maybe there is just something cold about the poor girls fate. "She deserved better..." he finally musters, with a shakey voice.

Rage ends after 3 Rounds, fatigued for 6 rounds (36 seconds?)

"I saw something." he shares with the others. "When she spoke, I saw... places. When she said we must stop Teb, I saw a frozen land settled in a small valley. There were igloos, and a large portal with ice and sleet spewing from it. When she mentioned Radosek the landscape changed - it was a countryside now, with a large tower erected of ice."

As Sven relays the information, he gathers together the broken shards of the wooden doll, sweeping them into a pile. He doesn't know what exactly he should do with them, but that poor girl deserved a proper sending and this was all that he had of "her".

"I don't suppose those locations sound familiar to anyone, do they? What of you, 'woman in blue'?" He says to Merisiel with a grin. "You've lead me well so far."

"I've seen the same thing Sven! We have freed someone spirit, but what I can't understand is why she was trapped..." He says this from a distance, for his mind is preoccupied by his fallen companion.

He kneels and picks her head gently, looking for life signs: "Winter..." He unwraps his cloak and wraps it around the wolf's white pelt, then whispers a few words in her ear. His touch glows warm as he touches her neck.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Does that cure non lethal as well?

Winter's eyes open and she licks Gauthier's hand, bringing a smile to his lips.

"I'm not sure what we're supposed to do here. Destroy the lodge? What role does it play? Will we make things worse?"

We destroy the Lodge Gautier as we need to past the maze

Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Sven grins, though it does seem a bit forced. "I don't care much for any land that is not my home amongst the Linnorm Kings, but fate leads me on... and that, I like."

The barbarian then sweeps the remains of the doll into his large palm and carries them gently outside of the hut. He clears a patch within the surrounding snow where he may set them, then returns to the hut to find his sword. Once the blade is returned, he pulls the massive Earth Breaker from his back. "So, did someone say something about destruction?"

Gauthier yes it cures nonlethal and lethal in the same amount.

I sure did Sven she said with a smile

"This gem seems valuable" says the Strix handing it to Hassan "I found nothing else of interest here." then he turns to Merisiel "Is it safe to use this place to rest? Maybe we can use this 'maze' you spoke of to help us rest better."

Unfortunately it isn't safe to rest in and we have to keep pushing forward for the moment.

"So let's destroy it then, and quickly!" says Gauthier as he swings his club into a wooden panel.

I sure did Sven she said with a smile

That was all the permission he needed. Sven spits in his hand and cinches up his grip on the hammer. "Probably best we step outside." He advises everyone, as he does the same. Once everyone is clear, the demolition begins.

Others may prefer to burn it down if they have the means, or something equally destructive. They're welcome to join the destruction. But when you have a giant hammer, most problems tend to have the same simple solution.

It takes Sven several hours to smash the hut to pieces after which Tenpenny pours some Alchemists fire on the ruins and it burns. The maze begins to shiver and melt a long sigh escaping into the morning air.

The party heals 2 nonlethal, except Sven who was working hard. The gemstone that Kirraak is holding begins to glow softly....

It is about 11AM, what is the party's intentions?

With a satisfied look in his eyes, Sven wipes the sweat from his face. "Then we ought to continue now, no?"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Of course we are Sven. Sorry for making you do the hard work there. Kirrark The Gemstone will act as a pearl of power and allow the recall of one level 1 spell, but it will do this only once before reverting back to its nonmagical nature.

"Destroyin' stuff hardly feels like work. But you can buy me a drink if we ever make it to a tavern. I imagine I'll still be thirsty."

know Arcana DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Spellcraft DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Know Arcana DC 20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Spellcraft DC 14: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Hassan is at a loss to explain or understand the porcelain doll and it's relation to the hut, the maze, and the spirit of the little girl. He doesn't really need to understand it however, for he knows powerful dark magic is at work, and all he cares about is destroying it. He nods and aids Sven in the burning.

He also agrees that the gemstone has properties like a pearl of power and suggests the enchantress Merisiel take it for her use.

"We should proceed cautiously. The witchcraft that created that maze and doll has likely done so to deter us. There may be more challenges ahead. Goddess willing we will overcome them and end this ruinous winter."

Indeed. she nods

I'm at National Guard duty this weekend so I don't have access to my google account or pdfs I'll give you guys a better update either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

If the party's intention is to continue on to the Somir Valley, then I'll need three Survival checks. You may aid another on the rolls, please deliniate which rolls are 1,2,3.

Survival Aid 1: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

Survival Aid 2: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

Survival Aid 3: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5