GM thunderspirit's Reign of Winter AP

Game Master thunderspirit

Watch posts you mentioned avoiding them. We have to assume that they have wandering patrols also. What kind of guards do they have at the watch posts? Capabilities? Human, Dragon? Any kind of info that would help us avoid, or kill them would be great.

With a smile he adds in an obviously joking manner. And yes I know, stick them with the pointy end.

"Indeed. Let us move!"

The rogue has a confusing sort of smile. Part of him is happy to maybe do some really good sneaking. But part of his is a little worried of the strangeness here. Its all well and good to be invisible, but maybe some dragon-thing can smell exactly where you are...

Sorry Slappy’s above post was meant as further questions for the Bescaylie

Dragonkin, of course. she says to Edward. And hundreds of barbarian troops as well. I can confirm they have patrols, as mentioned, we had to dodge several to get our reconnaissance in. Bescaylie gives you a brief summation of the opposition, which sounds quite daunting indeed.

So can you give us support, or a way to identify ourselves as friendly once we make it to the objective?

The Varisian lad studied the rough map made by Edward and given key points by the strange woman.
While not overly intelligent the lad believes himself to be pretty good with maps and finding his way. He is as ready as he is going to be for leading the party...

Knowledge Geography 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Survival 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

DM, do we need to make any other rolls to get started. I don't think we have any better plans than to just start walking

The rogue thinks back to the beginning of many journey's when he was still with his traveling Family. His grandmother often said A long trip begins with a single step...

Nah, we'll keep this bit fairly abstract. You've a guide, after all, who -- though amused by your inability to fly -- isn't going to abandon you since you showed an interest in helping her friends and keep.

I'll move things along later tonight or tomorrow.

It takes the better part of a day to travel by foot toward Spurhorn. Bescaylie is gracious and doesn't fly the entire time, though she and Efrixes take to the air frequently enough, both for reconnaissance and to ensure the group is heading the right direction. More than once she directs you off a direct path and you observe a handful of white-blue dragon shapes soaring overhead, conducting their own scouting missions.

The dragonrider is polite and courteous, though very businesslike and proper. She asks some details of your home world and those you call kin along the way, though she is fairly guarded when questions are turned back on her. You are welcome to chat, or we can pass over it.

After several hours of trudging over and around at least a score peaks, the party crests one to see an impressive keep rising from a nearby mountain. Behold, Spurhorn, Bescaylie says.

Scattered about the base of it are a number of campfires. A conservative guess would be that the surrounding army numbers in the thousands.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27 "These are nearly identical to the forest drakes of our home... nearly. Fascinating."

Davosh chats with the guide, offering up plenty of information about Golarion, but also asking questions in return, trying to learn as much as possible about this world and these people.

Upon seeing The High Clerist's Tower the keep, Davosh lets out a long whistle while Liska coos in a perfect fifth. "A magnificent structure!"

So what started this war? How is the siege affecting Spurhorn, enough supplies?

Like all wars, Bescaylie says. Someone claims to have been wronged, whether true or not; and others who also feel similarly, or desire what another has, or thirst for blood — or all of these — join in, and they form an army to fix what they see as not right.

In this particularity, one Yrax feels our peoples are not supplicant to their might, and would see to that, she continues, her hand gripping the rein of Efrixes hard, but not pulling it. Yrax considers the partnership of rider and dragonkin the greatest of insults and would undo each bond.

She gazes at Spurhorn a moment, then turns to the party. When you are ready, we fly in. It is nearly dusk, which will help evade the siege patrols. Unless you choose to seek other means of access...?

"Sounds like a capital idea ol'chap!" Davosh's strange tone and accent don't seem to faze him.

Vojtek nods agtmreement with Davosh, despite a modicum of confusion about the sheer scale of the structure before him. He feels disoriented, as though the perspective is off - surely this thing is closer than it is, looking as enormous as it is.

How are we gonna fly in? He looks to Davosh to see if he has some tricks

So Besides Davosh none of us can fly? Do you have any friends that can help us get in? Ed asks just as nicely as he can.

Liska knows the spell. I can hex myself and cast it on another. Given one day I could get us all in the air after I scribe some scrolls. Sorry, Adam is moving out today, so Davosh, Ali, and Vojtek are jammed up.

To make up for the delay, I've got something special for this game coming Monday.

Davosh's "something special" arrives early.

I believe Ali also has fly in her spellbook. With Spell Recall, you guys should be able to fly in. But it can certainly wait until after Vojtek's real-life relocation.

Davosh's "something special" arrives early.

wicked!!

I believe Ali also has fly in her spellbook. With Spell Recall, you guys should be able to fly in. But it can certainly wait until after Vojtek's real-life relocation.

You believe correctly. IN the morning I could prep it a total of 4 times max.

You'd have used one on Votjek already, but could recall it and then recall again. Either way, that's good enough for me to say everyone can get some means to fly.

Let's find us some keys!

The Varisian lad is visibly excited about getting to fly. He is exerting some effort not to bother OjosLocos or Ali about the details.
He doesn't seem to be at all worried about the thousands of enemy soldiers the party needs to get by.

"Just remember my boy, you look cool with one arm forward, and putting both arms forward will NOT make you faster. You ready?"

Davosh looks at the group, "Let's do this. Baba Yaga is out there somewhere, and eventually one of these keys will be the last."

You'd have used one on Votjek already, but could recall it and then recall again. Either way, that's good enough for me to say everyone can get some means to fly.

I keep a current tally of my Arcane Pool points, under my name. I currently have 2, so I can't recall a 3rd level spell. It will have to wait until tomorrow...

Ali goes over to Kappi and whispers in his ear Putting both arms forward DEFINITELY makes you go faster!!

Edward uses his impeccable flying style. Is ready to go get our first key.

I keep a current tally of my Arcane Pool points, under my name. I currently have 2, so I can't recall a 3rd level spell. It will have to wait until tomorrow...

We both actually forgot that you spent the night in the Hut before emerging today. (The vagaries of days off between scenes, I'm afraid.) Also, Bescaylie isn't able to wait until morning to return to Spurhorn, so we will roll with this now.

Bescaylie looks on in some amusement as the conversation about flying with and without extended arms comes about, but she doesn't offer a viewpoint either way. When you are ready, she says, know that we will face Drakelands patrols that seek to keep us from Spurhorn. She pats Efrixes comfortingly as she continues. And they will be able to fly as well. Now Efrixes and I are faster than they. I hope you can keep up.

Any preparations beyond fly spells before heading toward Spurhorn? Now is the time.

Davosh casts his spell, and one of Bless, asking the Ancients to guide the journey and see it done with alacrity.

Vojtek is almost frighteningly transfixed on the clear blue sky, with a longing to once again soar through his domain of the iron grey sky raining death and ice on the mortals below. These feelings stirring in his heart are powerful, and the physical manifestations the group had noted with growing concern start subtly pushing to the fore.

Davosh and Ali share their magic, and then Davosh uses his own hex.

The ability to fly is almost old hat to the casters, but it is hard to suppress their mirth as Kappi floats off the ground, trying desperately to stay quiet but clearly giddy as a child. Even Edward feels a bit of exhilaration, wondering to himself if this is how Apsu feels each time he takes flight. Vojtek spreads his arms and can all but feel his rippled back sprout wings and let him soar.

Bescaylie nods in approval and takes off astride Efrixes, heading directly toward Spurhorn. As the wind rushes by in the fading light, Kappi's sharp ears still hear the roar once about a minute passes, and he spies a trio of blue-scaled dragon shapes heading their direction!

We have guests! Bescaylie shouts. Efrixes and I can outrun them, but if you cannot, you will need to drive them off!

The map is an attempt to replicate three dimensional combat. Don't fret too much about the specifics, though you can see how your pogs line up; just remember you're acting in mid-air and thus need to define height, length, AND depth as you do so.

Round 1
Ali — GO
baddies — TBD
Kappi — TBD
Edward — TBD
Vojtek — TBD
Davosh — TBD
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

Ali glances at the oncoming figures. Thinking they'll need all the help they can get, she reaches down and touches the rod in her belt, casting a Haste spell at practically the speed of thought. Then she pops out her wand of Shield, uses it, and stows it back.

Y'all are HASTENED.

Ali casts a spell with amazing alacrity, then uses a wand for some self-protection.

The trio of drakes streak toward the party in formation! Double move.

Round 1
Ali — spellage
baddies — move x2
Kappi — GO
Edward — GO
Vojtek — GO
Davosh — GO
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

Davosh wuickly weaves a potent spell, bringing forth a mind fog in the air about the enemy. Will DC 23 negates.

Also the party is Blessed

Davosh feels his spell take hold!
But I should point out that the effects created by this spell do not move with a ship. ;-)

Round 1
Ali — spellage
baddies — move x2
Kappi — GO
Edward — GO
Vojtek — GO
Davosh — spell + Move action remaining
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

Davosh flies forward a bit, ready to lay into the enemy with all manner of spells and powers.

Quick everyone. Move up to the cloud, but not in it. See if they are dumb enough to stay in and fight. Give our Witch time to debilitate them.

I can see the map, but I can’t manipulate anything on it until I get my desktop rebuilt, I fried it the other night. Ed will move up to the cloud and shoot if he can, if not it will be a double move. His flight speed should be 70 with the haste.

Longbow w/haste, pbs
Longbow: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8

Round 1

Move

With glee the lad flies forward starting to manuever. He is ready with sword or a throwing ax, which he will try to use on the next round.

"Sigh, I told him that two hands forward doesn't help..."

Vojtek follows his little brother closely, keeping his weapons stowed safely. He flexes his hands like claws, and builds himself almost into an enragified state.

Move and prepare to rage.

Despite Davosh's admonition, Kappi makes like Superman while both Votjek and Edward move up, taking different offensive approaches. Edward isn't quite close enough for PBS, but his shaft will just manage to hit anyway.

Efrixes and Bescaylie speed past the party to their left, soaring in an arc around the drakes and banking back toward Spurhorn. Their speed is 80 ft normally, so the total distance travelled is 160.

Since the fog is in the middle of the air (where air currents are often prevalent), I'm going to rule that the fog will disperse in 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds, but it's certainly done its job already.

We'll assume the right-left plane on which the green drake sits is 100 ft vertical.

Round 2
Ali — GO
baddies — TBD
Kappi — TBD
Edward — TBD
Vojtek — TBD
Davosh — TBD
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

Ali flies forward to join Edward & Vojtek, and fires off her Magic Missiles at purple

MM: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 2, 2) + 5 = 14

Ali SR check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Ali's missiles slam into Blue, despite a flicker of resistance!

Blue, infuriated, makes a beeline for the Magus! Drake has reach so no AoO unless you have reach as well.
Flyby Attack, Power Attack, Vital Strike.
bite vs. AC 26: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
nom nom nom: 4d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 5) + 10 = 26
plus cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Green uses the same tactic on Edward! Drake has reach so no AoO unless you have reach as well.
Flyby Attack, Power Attack, Vital Strike.
bite vs. AC 20: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
nom nom nom: 4d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 5) + 10 = 26
plus cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4

And Red on Vojtek! Drake has reach so no AoO unless you have reach as well.
Flyby Attack, Power Attack, Vital Strike.
bite vs. AC 24: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
nom nom nom: 4d6 + 10 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 4) + 10 = 21
plus cold: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Blue is on the same E-W plane as Ali. Green and Red are as shown on the map.

Round 2
Ali — magic missile
baddies — vroomchomp
Kappi — GO
Edward — GO
Vojtek — GO
Davosh — GO
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

Round 2

Kappi tosses a tanglefoot bag at Red. The lad hopes to hit the wings and hamper its flight if not make it fall from the sky.

tanglefoot bag 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Davosh flies forth and locks his Big Eye on the rider with the green livery. "Look into my Eye..." He uses his Hex of Combat Hypnotism on the Drake.

Point of information, #1: Kappi would take a raged increment penalty on his throw. That said, the minus 3 is not nearly enough for the drake to avoid it, so...

The bag of goo hits, but Kappi is a little disappointed it does not land near the beast's wings and cause it to plummet from the sky! Still, it's evident that the entangled beast labors a bit to stay airborne!

Point of information, #2: these are just drakes -- they bear no riders. But it's easy enough for the party to tell the difference anyway, so...

The Warlock clearly has fascinated the Green drake!

Round 2
Ali — magic missile
baddies — vroomchomp
Kappi — tangleclaw bag
Edward — GO
Vojtek — GO
Davosh — hexification
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

"Avoid that one! I've got him!"

Round the First
• Current HPs: 129 - 20 (DR 1 and Cold Resistance 13)

Vojtek flies to flank the red-tinged drake with his little brother and unleashes a couple of raking attacks with his draconic claws!

Right Claw (Magic Weapon for the purposes of overcoming DR): 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 31 for Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 6 + 1 = 21.
Left Claw (Magic Weapon for the purposes of overcoming DR): 1d20 + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 17 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 34 for Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 6 + 1 = 16.

Vojtek's claws both find purchase in Red!

Round 2
Ali — magic missile
baddies — vroomchomp
Kappi — tangleclaw bag
Edward — GO
Vojtek — claw/claw
Davosh — hexification
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

Round 2

Taking Davosh at his word, Ed flys just a step closer to the red drake. He tries to make sure that he isn’t in the same line as any of his friends.

Longbow w/ Haste, PBS
Longbow: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 7
Longbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 9
Longbow: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 33
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11

Swift LoH: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5) + 2 = 8
Not exactly sure where everyone is at on damage. But I’m sure everyone is still within range. So Ed takes 26+10=36. Ali, Vojtek heal 5 each. Ed heals 8 for a current hp total of 60/88

Edward lands a pair of shots!

Bescaylie and Efrixies fly furiously toward Spurhorn. Kappi can see them pull up before reaching it, circling about warily. They appear to be waiting to see if you survive.

Round 3
Ali — GO
baddies — TBD
Kappi — TBD
Edward — TBD
Vojtek — TBD
Davosh — TBD
Bescaylie/Efrixes — TBD

Ali follows Vojtek into combat, trying to bring one down together.

I went ahead & moved Vojtek to flank Red with Kappi, as his last post indicated

1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 = 13
1d10 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15