"I would rather deal with the apprentice than her," Freyr deadpans as his sister takes care of the other's wounds. "He might be a bastard, but he's much less capable than she is. Do we need to rest to recover spells? Otherwise, I shall do just that."
"Kleora said she used a lot of her power, we might need to rest." Frjya point out. "Whoever is here we might need our strength for..."
Nodding in agreement Kleroa replied, "Yes, I think we should rest, if not here then the next place we find that is more suitable. We should probably share bedrolls for warmth too." She sighed and then said, "But if you feel the need to push on I will try and shoot things."
"We need to find somewhere with some cover from the wind and snow then," Freyr says calmly. "We don't want to try to camp out in the middle of a snowstorm if we can help it. There has to be somewhere that's at least marginally more comfortable."
"If we're going to camp, I agree."
"Let's backtrack to the clearing with the hut and find someplace near there/ If we try to camp here, our tracks will be too easy to follow in the snow."
Moving back to the hut is not difficult though it does take time. Having dealt with the threat there there is no sign of the ghost that had bothered you last time. While no substitute for an inn you mange to get enough sleep and nothing disturbers you during the night. It is even warmer here, though still cold, then where you were and you are sure that left you better off.
Up and moving you set out again.
Rested and replenished you move out. After some time it is back to the site you were ambushed but there is nothing of further note to see there. After some more time you see a campsite though the woods. It is hard to make out as snow is falling quite heavily.
Four low igloos stand here in the snow. A well-packed trail of large
footprints passes between them, heading both north and west. The igloos are empty though it would appear they had some use.
The cave to the north is a little more interesting. Two bearskin rugs cover most of the damp floor in this cave, surrounded by crates, barrels, and other supplies. The ceiling rises fifteen feet overhead, where icicles of frozen condensation hang from sharp stalactites.
Further to the west you see something very unusual. A bank of quill-like icicles spear outward in a ring, seemingly grown from a heavy sheet of ice covering the ground. A second ring of giant icicle-shaped monoliths stands inside the outer ring, surrounding a swirling cylindrical vortex easily ten feet in diameter. Icy winds and driving snow blast from the vortex, creating the wintry weather in the clearing. Around the trees are a few trees that have manged to survive the new cold environment though there leaves are brown and they do not look health. Another tree, dead and black, stands alone as well.
Frjya stepped up and looked around, giving a half-hearted chuckle before looking to Freyr and said "It's almost just like home." Since it seemed both Tayanalla and Kelora didn't care about their actual heritage why would they need to hide anything? "Do we want to look thought the igloos first?"
"I don't like that it's so quiet." Freyr stops when he considers the context of that statement. "I don't like that there's apparently no one here," he corrects himself. "There's no way they aren't preparing some sort of 'welcome', either because they don't believe us or because they do and don't like it. Stick together and keep your eyes open. I'll stay at the front." The guardian moves forward to the first igloo carefully, leaning down to look inside without entering right away.
Taya draws her rapier and follows along behind Freyr, trying to be quiet and keeping her eyes and ears open.
Three of the igloos are fairly similar in what is inside of them. A winter blanket, a pile of furs, and a small wooden chest take up most of the floor space in this cramped igloo. A small hole has been cut into the low ceiling to allow smoke to escape, but no fire has been lit.
The forth is different. The interior of this igloo is bare. Several ice blocks extend from the igloo’s interior walls, forming small shelves and recesses. Freyr can see just well enough to spot that under the snow colored thatching there is a pit.
Nothing of value or import is spotted in any of these igloos.
"Is that a cave over there in the hillside?"
"I think I remember stories about trolls living in caves, but I'm not really certain."
"It does look like it." Frjya began. "We should check everywhere so let us check there first." She stated before she made her way over to the cave to look around.
"I like this less the longer it takes us to find anyone," Freyr mutters. "Alright. Let's stick together if we're going to keep exploring. We don't want to get separated when the weather is like this." He moves to stay close to the front so he can take the brunt of any ambushes.
Kleora rested well, or as well as possible under the circumstances, and felt refreshed the next morning. When they moved out she was well bundled and ready to go. As they trudged through the snow and found the cave Kleora looked at it in interest and studied the igloos. She wondered how they were made and studied their design carefully as she had a suspicion that their construction could prove very helpful one day. When the others were ready to go she nodded and followed them back out.
Two bearskin rugs cover most of the damp floor in this cave, surrounded by crates, barrels, and other supplies. The ceiling rises fifteen feet overhead, where icicles of frozen condensation hang from sharp stalactites.
Inside the cave there is not movement but there is a locked chest.
Nothing else can be seen by the party members though you are confident that this area is not trapped at the least.
"I'm no good with locks...." Taya tells the others.
"I can try to break it open," Freyr suggests. "But my training never included much breaking and entering. You're expected to hire someone expendable to do that kind of thing back home." It's hard to tell if the swordsman is joking or not.
"I know of a spell that could open this but I am sorry to say I don't have such a spell. Frjya said. "Maybe we could try to find the key?" She asked. "After all wouldn't breaking it risk damaging whatever is inside?"
"Good thought, someone around here must have the key."
"I do not believe it is in here however... We haven't seen anyone yet so, shall we try to look in the circle in shards?" Frjya asked. "It is all I can think of at the moment."
"Seems reasonable. It looks like the sort of thing we are looking for out here in the woods."
"There has to be something here, if only to defend the gate. Keep your eyes open and don't get caught off-guard." Freyr takes the front again as they continue exploring.
Moving towards the portal you find a bank of quill-like icicles spear outward in a ring, seemingly grown from a heavy sheet of ice covering the ground. A second ring of giant icicle-shaped monoliths stands inside the outer ring, surrounding a swirling cylindrical vortex easily ten feet in diameter. Icy winds and driving snow blast from the vortex, creating the wintry weather in the clearing.
The snow is falling hard at this point at you vision is not great. The snow is also deep making fast movements difficult at best.
As you get close Freyr is just able to see an old black and dead looking tree shift, growing arms and legs as it turns into a LARGE ugly creature wielding a spear.
It is fortunate that it was spotted as the party was able to, mostly, get the job on the creature. Still it roars at you something in giant.
Bold may act
Round 1
Tayanalla, Freyr, Kleora
Creature
Frjya
Day 4 - 1pm
13 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: Difficult Terrain / 20% miss |Freyr HP: 25/25 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 14/14 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:________________________________
Creature: AC:? HP:?
Page 29
"I don't know what it's saying ... it's definitely not speaking sasquatch." Taya says.
"But that's definitely an ice troll. They hate fire and don't mind cold. It's wounds will heal on their own unless we burn it with fire or acid."
Taya casts Shield on herself because the troll looks serious.
Then she uses a swift action and an arcane pool point to activate spell dance
Then she moves through the deep snow to the left, keeping wide of the troll.
If she's attacked, she will spend a panache point to parry and riposte.
"That's why I bought these." Freyr draws out one of the vials of alchemist's fire he brought from town and steps a bit closer to he can get a proper throw through the whirling snow. He weighs the vial in hand for a moment before hurling it straight at the monster's hide.
Waiting on Kleora.
Kloera saw the big creature come for them and felt a wash of fear through her. She knew this could be a very vicious fight but it seemed that her allies knew what to do about the thing. Joining the attack Kleora focused her mind and lashed out with her thoughts trying to overload the thing's mind.
Tayanall casts some defensive magic and moves to keep some distance.
Freyr moves up while removing a flask from his belt. He gets closer and throws the alchemists fire at the troll. Sadly the flask goes wide but it does splash enough to cause minor damage.
Kelora keeps her distance but attacks he mind of the troll doing some damage but the attack is partially resisted.
The troll, Ted Knotten, howles as the small bit of fire splashes on him as he knows he will not regenerate for a short time. Furious with Freyr he stabs with his spear while maintaining the same space between them. The spear goes wide which might be a very good thing for Freyr.
Bold may act
Round 1/2
Tayanalla, Freyr, Kleora
Creature
Frjya
Day 4 - 1pm
13 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: Difficult Terrain / 20% miss |Freyr HP: 25/25 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 14/14 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:________________________________
Creature: AC: 17/13/13 HP: 24/30
Page 32
Frjya kept closer to the back, casting the spell of mage armor upon herself.
Taya casts a spell creating a coating of grease on the troll's spear, making it difficult to hold.
(Reflex DC14 or the troll drops his weapon)
Then she moves to get behind the troll.
Freyr clicks his tongue. "Of course." He adjusts the grip on his sword and steps in to the troll's reach, bringing his sword to bear and slashing down at its bulky form.
Focusing her mind once more Kleora's thought lashed out attempting to overload the hideous creature's mind with information.
Having reinforced her armor Frjya keeps some distance while Freyr fails to connect. Kleora causes a splitting headache with a mind thrust and Tyanalla casts grease under the troll knocking him prone.
[ooc] Regarding the grease. I applied a +2 bonus against the fall as deep snow is not a flat surface really. To balance I applied a -2 on his ability get back up.]
Ted Knoten goes to clutch his head as the physic power hits and it in the process falls prone in the grease that appeared under his feet. Still in the fight he carefully gets back to his feet opening himself to attacks. Still he is able to stab again with his spear once he regains his footing but misses his target.
Bold may act
Round 2/3
Tayanalla, Freyr, Kleora
Creature
Frjya
Day 4 - 1pm
13 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: Difficult Terrain / 20% miss |Freyr HP: 25/25 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 14/14 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:________________________________
Teb Knotten: AC: 17/13/13 HP: 17/30 - on grease
Page 32
Taya steps in behind the troll and stabs the troll with her rapier.
Frjya pointed at Teb Knotten and spoke in an ancient language.
However the ray goes wide.
Freyr bites his tongue to avoid a rather undignified snort as the troll stumbles around in the snow, the grease doing it's job of keeping him off balance. "Keep it up! He can't handle us coming from too many different angles!" His blade comes down again, biting into the troll's hide.
Not sure if it was wise or not Kleora decided one last blast of psychic energy would suffice for now. She again overloaded the creature's mind with her own before drawing her crossbow.
Tayanalla and Freyr both land blows on the troll and Kleora lashes out with her mind again. This time the troll is able to resist some of the effects of the mental attack. Even as the blows fall some of the creatures wounds knit back together as its natural regeneration resumes.
Unable to move the troll again lashes out at Freyr with his spear but again fails to connect. As the spear misses the troll howls in frustration.
Bold may act
Round 2/3
Tayanalla, Freyr, Kleora
Creature
Frjya
Day 4 - 1pm
13 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: Difficult Terrain / 20% miss |Freyr HP: 25/25 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 14/14 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:________________________________
Creature: AC: 17/13/13 HP: 9/30
Page 32
Taya steps back away from the troll and tosses a flask of alchemist's fire.
Kleora loaded a bolt into her crossbow and drew a bead on the frost troll on the ground. She had decided to save her magic for now and hoped that she could get a good shot in while the beast was prone.
Frjya snapped her fingers and light flashed before Teb's face.
Freyr just barely manages to get his sword up and in the way of the spear, deflecting the point from going straight into his gut. He grunts and swings again, trying to hack into the troll faster than it can regenerate.
The alchemists fire sizzles the trolls skin again stopping the hearing but neither Kleora or Freyr can capitalize on the opportunity. Fortunately Frjya manages to daze the creature giving everyone another chance.
Bold may act
Round 3/4
Tayanalla, Freyr, Kleora
Creature
Frjya
Day 4 - 1pm
13 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: Difficult Terrain / 20% miss |Freyr HP: 25/25 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 14/14 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:________________________________
Creature: AC: 17/13/13 HP: 7/30
Page 32
Reloading her crossbow Kleora sent another bolt lancing out at the troll.
Her aim was badly off while trying to miss her allies and so the belt fell well short of her target.
As the alchemists fire burns off on the troll's skin, Taya steps in behind to flank it stab the beast in the back
(flanking)
(flanking)
If the troll swings back, she will try to block with her rapier.