GM Fuzzfoot's CORE #2-15 Shades of Ice Part I - Written in Blood (Inactive)

Game Master PJP

"I've got some cold weather gear, but my bow nearly bankrupted me. Still, I think it's worth it. I'll walk with the mule and guard. Seems like it's going to be a long trip. Maybe after we score some money we can buy a wand to help us fight off the north wind."

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Lini drapes herself over Droogami's shoulders, the leopard padding along with the groups heels. The gnome watches Dulcinea impassively. The way she waves that blade and her gold around. Reminds me of a cub playing at hunting. We need to look out for this one, Droogami.

"I know a little about the First World, and a lot about the north. And I've seen Droogami here take down beasts twice her side. Never you worry, we'll pull our weight."

Marking off 8gp for Cold Weather Gear. I'm not sure how it works for animal companions, I assume Droogami's fur will be sufficient but nowhere seems to explicitly say so.

My magic will provide me the protection against the cold of the North. But I will buy the gear the barbarian of the north usually wear to not be too different and get an unattended attention.

buy for 8 gold a Cold Weather Gear

Do you know where Rognvald Skagni lives in Trollheim and who could want to open this chest ?
Some local custom ? People interested in what is in there ?

"I know a few cave bears in the area." Lini says, to nobody in particular. "... you know, in case that comes up."

Kayanor's left eyebrow raises up at the druid's off hand remark, but he says nothing.

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@Kayanor, Titus never said he was a druid :P

It was in response to Line's cave bears :-).

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stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Wearing a (recently purchased) parka with a long backward pointed hood ending in a tassel and sitting upon the chest when the pathfinders return their gaze to it is a sharp faced halfling man with dirty platinum hair and olive-brown skin.

He taps his y-shaped walking stick upon the chest and looks expectantly at the rest of the group with eyes the color of emeralds. "Ready?"

Droogami lopes forward, giving Bodkin a tentative sniff as he circles at the bottom of the chest. "Droogami... no. You remember the rules. Strangers talk first before we eat them."

"'We?'" Notes Bodkin.

"--where the hell did you come from?" Thess yelps when seeing yet another half-sized person show up. "Godsdamn, first the cat, now you-- anyone else hiding in the rafters I should know about?" she says, addressing the ceiling of Dreng's room.

Shaking her head, Thess goes to collect her gear and the bag of gold that will fund their voyage-- not responding to Dulcinea's words about being a softy.

"Right. Kayanor, you can guard the mule then. I know the Ulfen tongue, so I can talk to those we meet." Thessaly grins, sharply. "As you can tell, I'm honey-sweet and twice as nice."

(Ready for the travel-jump whenever everyone else is.)

[ooc]ready

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Dulcinea stops and gazes up to the rafters herself.

"I have seen a tengu at the Silver Crusade hall that hides in the rafters until everyone else has gathered and introduced themselves. He then jumps out and begins some grand spectacle of martial prowess as he gives off his self-created titles."

She gives the rafters a good once-over, occasionally walking about to get a different perspective before returning her attention to her companions.

"I do not think he will be traveling with us today." Her voice carries a hint of disappointment.

"No. He won't." Bodkin says flatly.

Where the directions indicate Skagni’s house should be stands only the charred husk of a burnt-out building. Bits of burnt timber and ruined furniture lie scattered about, but if anything remained after the fire, it seems to have been picked over and looted. Though most of the walls are blackened with soot, a patch along the former front of the residence still shows relatively clean, white walls. Smeared across those white walls, written in reddish-brown letters four feet tall, are the words, “Pathfinders go home.”

"Great. So much for my first mission being easy..." any signs of a cause or anything left of interest?

-Posted with WayfinderPerception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Bad beginning...

Seeing the house burned to the ground Titus says

I hope Skagni's safe. We could ask around for it. I'm sure some native could tell us more about what's happened here... and why something like that was written.

He adds showing the red words.

Trying to find someone to talk to, Titus looks around him.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Lol, okay, that WAS a jump :P

Thessaly curses roundly in Ulfen on seeing the destroyed home. After a few long and inventive oaths, she switches back to Taldane. "So some bugger-fool has a thing against Pathfinders," she observes with a growl. "I find 'em, I'll give 'em a reason to."

Are there any other buildings nearby? Any passersby in the street, or is this a secluded house away from anywhere? Some scene setting might be nice.

If Thessaly sees anybody other than her fellow Pathfinders, she strides towards them, her blue eyes flashing, and the guttural sound of the Ulfen tongue coming from her mouth.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Heal: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"Yep. That's blood. Almost fresh, too." she says, giving it a tentative taste. She turns northward up the trail. "Don't look now, but we're being watched. Far-sha!"

Lini will cast entangle (DC 14) 50ft. up the trail, as Droogami moves to surround them. (Can move 50ft. in a surprise round with his land speed, giving them a ten foot berth.)

Can't make the perception, even on a 20, so not gonna bother rolling

Heal: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

"Writing in blood? How dramatic."

Dulcinea turns towards the direciton Lini faces, drawing her sword and taking a fencer's stance.

"And it appears things will be getting much more dramatic shortly."

Blood, that's not good

When Lini began casting Titus asks

What's happening ?

I don't know, but I know what to do when magic starts flying..." Kayanor nocks an arrow.

That damned old codger! If the Society is lagging behind of late is all because of old incompetents like that Dreng. I wonder how the hell can Dimira adore him. Well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, sending me in these frozen lands at a moment’s notice, without even giving me the chance to exchange ideas with my colleagues is idiotic! Besides…The great Darathys Kressen sent into a miserable delivery mission? The old codger must have lost his mind, and that cold gave him the final blow. Did he mistaken me for a two-bit errand boy? Damn…Oh, there they are!

Darathys suddenly halts his walking, his heavy boots lingering in the snow-covered ground. Sharpening his sight, he tries to gain a better idea of the situation.

Magic…That does not bode well. And that burned down house. Skagni’s home, perhaps? Better to be cautious.

For the moment, Darathys lingers at a distance from the group*, trying to conceal himself behind a tree or any other cover offered by the surrounding environment, ready to dart in to attack should the situation get nasty for his fellow Pathfinders.

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* Darathys is hiding behind a cover at a distance of about 80 feet from his fellow Pathfinders. If the situation gets bad, he plans on charging against his colleagues' enemies.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Perception, DC 25: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Noope.

"Blood??" Thessaly echoes the others, gripping her weapon unhappily. "Dammit, if he's dead-- hey, what are you doing?" she says, blinking at Lini's spellcasting.

Assuming that the gnome sees a foe, she draws her halberd.

That damned old codger! If the Society is lagging behind of late is all because of old incompetents like that Dreng. I wonder how the hell can Dimira adore him. Well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, sending me in these frozen lands at a moment’s notice, without even giving me the chance to exchange ideas with my colleagues is idiotic! Besides…The great Darathys Kressen sent into a miserable delivery mission? The old codger must have lost his mind, and that cold gave him the final blow. Did he mistaken me for a two-bit errand boy? Damn…Oh, there they are! Darathys suddenly halts his walking, his heavy boots lingering in the snow-covered ground. Sharpening his sight, he tries to gain a better idea of the situation. Magic…That does not bode well. And that burned down house. Skagni’s home, perhaps? Better to be cautious. For the moment, Darathys lingers at a distance from the group*, trying to conceal himself behind a tree or any other cover offered by the surrounding environment, ready to dart in to attack should the situation get nasty for his fellow Pathfinders. ______________________________________ * Darathys is hiding behind a cover at a distance of about 80 feet from his fellow Pathfinders. If the situation gets bad, he plans on charging against his colleagues' enemies. Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Nice intro. Well played.

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Surprise Round: (Bold may act)
Thug 1[yellow], Thug 2[green], Thug 3[blue], Boss[red]
Lini & Droogami

Lini starts casting a spell, to everyone's surprise. But the men react quicker, and start to close the distance before the spell goes off. The each double move toward the group as they draw their throwing axes.

Reflex Save yellow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Reflex Save green: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Reflex Save blue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Reflex Save red: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Darathys, Kayanor
Thug 1[yellow] (entangled), Thug 2[green], Thug 3[blue], Boss Thug[red] (entangled)
Dulcinea (flatfooted), Titus (flatfooted), Thessaly (flatfooted), Lini & Droogami

As I suspected...

Darathys caresses the rough cortex of the tree he's hiding behind before charging the nearest foe with a furious grimace. «Reinforcements are coming!» he shouts as he moves forward, his hairs covered in snowflakes and every words coming from his mouth accompanied by a wisp of warm air. As he draws closer, he draws his trusty greatsword and grips so as to be able to hit with the flat side of his weapon.

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Darathys is charging the nearest foe using Power Attack, drawing his greatsword as he moves forward, provided he can reach one of them. He can cover a distance of 80 feet while charging. He's also taking a -4 penalty on his attack roll to deal nonlethal damage. If he's unable to reach an opponent, Darathys will delay his action until one of the enemies draws closer, enabling him to charge.

Greatsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 - 4 = 18
Greatsword damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 4) + 7 = 17

Thank you Kayanor, I'm looking forward to play with you guys!

is there a map?

Kayanor watches his new comrade hurtle forward into battle. The half elf squints a bit in the glittering snow-light. With laconic grace he draws forth an arrow and levels it to fire. In whispered elven he exhales a single sentence. "Thus the pursuit of knowledge begins in blood."

He assumes Darathys has that enemy covered and opts for the closest enemy.
ATK: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 +1 more if within 30' DMG: 1d8 ⇒ 5

if Crit: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 1) = 8

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Sorry - map is >> here <<.

gotcha. I'll step to the left and aim. I have precise shot too, so it shouldn't matter where our charging friend goes. (PBS also applies.

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Droogami Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Droogami Partial Charge (Bite): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Droogami Trip: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Droogami will leap into the lashing underbrush, sinking his teeth into the green thug.

I took a little liberty with Darathys' location, as I think I see what he was doing. Let me know if this doesn't work for you....

Darathys skirts around the edge of the ruins, and then charges in at the foes from the west side, catching the (yellow) thug in the back of the head as he closes, knocking him out with a single blow.

Droogami and Kayanor are not quite so kind. Droogami pounces, drawing first blood, but then Layanor puts an arrow in the center of the (green) thugs chest. The man falls, unconscious and bleeding.

The (blue) thug steps forward, and attacks Droogami, just missing the cat.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Red struggles to free himself from the weeds that entangle him, but he fails to do so.
Escape: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Darathys, Kayanor
Thug 1[yellow] (entangled, unconscious, 17 non-lethal dmg), Thug 2[green] (15 dmg, at 0 hp), Thug 3[blue], Boss Thug[red] (entangled)
Dulcinea, Titus, Thessaly, Lini & Droogami

Ydresus, attack ! commands Titus to his companion.

Handle Animal (DC10): 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 4 = 27

Then he looks for his sling and took a roc to be ready to use it.

Ydresus to his master's command charges the nearest enemy. the blue one

SSssss

Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17
Damages +poison DC11: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Poison (Con): 1d2 ⇒ 2

I'm fine with that GM!

"The hell?" Thessaly yells. She runs forward towards the warriors, leading with her halberd.

Charging towards blue.

Attack blue, charge: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

-2 to AC

Thessaly and Titus have taken down the blue, so only the red remains, and his intent now seems to be to escape.

Dulcinea turns towards the battle, smiling as she advances towards the fray.

"Ah! Ruffians! You would attempt to gain the upper hand against Dulcinea de la Mancha with your underhanded tactics?"

She levels her rapier at the nearby thug.

"I will allow you this chance to run before I should you how we deal with cravens where I come from."

Double Move

"After him, Droogami!" Droogami bounds after the thug leader, weaving through the underbrush like a true predator. (Move 25 feet, difficult terrain, bite + trip.)

Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Reflex vs Entangle: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Lini will delay, hoping to dismiss the spell as soon as the Thug clears the entangling vines.

Quick question, do you want me rolling Handle Animal checks while I command Droogami? At +6 to Handle Animal and +4 for being my companion, Lini can hit that DC 10 check on any trick her companion knows as a free action. Just making sure we're on the same page. :)

@Lini - sure, that works fine.

Droogami wades into the entanglement, and bites the leader, but doesn't manage to trip him.

Round 2: (Bold may act)
Darathys, Kayanor
Thug 1[yellow] (entangled, unconscious, 17 non-lethal dmg), Thug 2[green] (15 dmg, at 0 hp), Thug 3[blue] (down and out), Boss Thug[red] (entangled, 5 dmg)
Dulcinea, Titus, Thessaly, Lini & Droogami

"not so fast!" Kayanor goes for a quick shot hoping to bring the man down.

ATK: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 = 16 for DMG: 1d8 ⇒ 3

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Darathys cannot hold back a satisfied grin as his greatsword stuns his opponent. Tsk, measly northern mercenaries! I could handle 10 of you by myself!

The muscular man then steps to his left, trying to get out of the area covered in grass and weeds*. Despite his efforts, Darathys gets entangled as he moves: «What the heck is this...grass? Argh!».

With a striving expression painted on his face, Darathys draws upon all of his strenght and moves forward ignoring the entanglement**. Eventually, he plans on moving behind the thug leader to prevent him from escaping.

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* Darathys is using a move action to get out of the area currently covered by Lini's entangle spell.

** Darathys is moving at half speed as per the entangled condition. With a double move action, he can cover 40 feet in total.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Darathys struggles in the weeds, and Kayanor's arrow just misses it's target. The thug boss summons all his strength to break free of the weeds, and then flees.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

He has a head start, but not a large one. However, the entangle area is between you and him. Do you try to pursue, or break off combat?

Having his sling ready, Titus tries to hit the fleeing man.

Sling: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
damages: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

if unable to see the fleeing man, Titus will not pursue but will cast stabilize on each bleeding uncounscious ennemies

I'll fire until he's out of range (which is 100' before taking a -2. I don't want anyone getting word of us...

1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 MISS
2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 THREAT
Confirm 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 DMG if hit: 3d8 ⇒ (7, 4, 6) = 17
3: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 2 = 7 MISS
4: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9 MISS

If he's still going after that, I'll let him go.

Kayanor's first shot misses (round 3), and the man runs away, so the second shot would be at -2, which would hit but no longer crit. However, assuming that Lini dismisses the entangle, and you do at least a move before each shot, you would stay within range, and crit. And that would be enough to kill him. (Not to mention, I expect Droogami was going to pursue and try to trip.) So I think we can say that your desire to stop his escape will succeed.

So, now you have 3 dead and one unconscious man.

A quick search nets you 5 potions of cure light wounds, throwing axes, chainmail, heavy shields and some gold coins.

Hum, I suggest to report this to the authorities once we will have ask some question to the only survivor.

Says Titus.

Do you want I heal him from his wounds ?

He adds

"Yes. Let's find out what the hells happened here. We need to find our sage, find out why his house is a smoking ruin, and why killing us seemed like a good idea."