Motteditor's Reign of Winter PBP (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

"I don't think he needs to be bothered," she says, her voice turning a bit more severe for a moment. "I am sure that we can find them."

As you begin searching the house -- soon finding your gear, including the two items given you by the Black Rider please let me know who's holding on to these and add them to your character sheet, in various chests -- Kashka comes rushing in, her cheecks flushed and breath coming in large gulps.

"Nadya, er hvit bygning soldatene kommer," she gasps. "De kommer hus til hus!"

"This doesn't sound good." Tsin collects her newly-found possessions, and readies for someone to make clear what has made the old woman so excited. "Or perhaps this is good. Maybe they found the witch."

"You guys weren't naked."

Oh yeah Quinn was, just like every morning he's sporting his scrawny masculinity for all to see. Birthday suits are the gift of Cayden, clothes the 'gift' of other gods. Quinn's a man that appreciates nature, even if he doesn't revere it.

GM wrote:

"You guys weren't naked."

Oh yeah Quinn was...

Ditto, Hektir...not going to be shown up by Quinn, that's for sure. I think Hektir got too hot sleeping indoors after weeks of out of doors camping. He stripped during the night...that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

* * *

Hektir buckles on his heavy shield as the Skaldic words are translated.

"This is good news, I tells yeah. Maybe they are here to help us fight witches," Hektir buckles on his sword. "They heard about our quest and want to help."

Nadya looks concerned.

"I do not think so. I do not know but I think if they find you here, they will try to arrest you!"

As she says that, you hear a loud knocking on the door!

"Are they from the place we want to go? Isn't the Pale Tower where they took your child? Maybe they'll be kind enough to answer some questions for us."

Hektir nods at Tsin, sure that she knows what that means. Then Hektir nods at Quinn, equally certain.

" ... Yes. But I do not know that they will want to help you," she says nervously.

Still naked, Quinn gesticulates wildly, "Take that witches! I'll slap you upside the arcanium with this!" Before Mal can thump him with the staff of prudence, or Pems can scowl with a snort of derision, or Tsin can frown with derision, Quinn makes ready to bring the fight back to the witches, and not just for the injustice they've brought to Tsin. "Let's assault the Pale Tower, and damn the witches that oppose us! Go on Hektir, open that door, we'll give them a few sights they haven't seen!"

Guys, you've probably been up and active for half an hour. If you're still naked, Nadya will have kicked you out of your house about 29 minutes ago.

half an hour is a bit long, even for Quinn, I suppose he would be dressed by now...

Totally ineffectual with clothes on, Quinn makes a much less dramatic statement, "Go on Hektir, open that door."

Mott, are the kids home with Nadya and amongst the group through all this?

"Hatch! Hatch! Blast it all, Zeno, which way did that fastidious devil go, hmm? Hatch! Where the blazes did you put my book?"

Once their belongings are recovered, Malavarius will try to sit down and study, but finds himself constantly interrupted. By the time Kashka arrives flushed and upset, he's not made any effectual progress at all.

---

"Oh what now? Honestly, can't a very old man just have some peace and quiet any more?" With the revelation that a force from the Pale Tower approaches, he looks to Tsin. "You've still more sense than twice these fools lumped together, girl; help me herd them into the back. Pemsworth and Nadya can handle things up here." The aged wizard then begins trying to hurry Quinn and Hektir into the back. "We aren't prepared for this yet! We can tussle with those goons soon enough, but not now! Hush!"

Zeno, for his part, finds a perch above the door and listens intently.

Pemsworth, averting his eyes repeatedly at the man-candy that insists on jiggling at his eye-level, rapidly dresses and joins the search for their items. Even finding none, he pops Flash into his backpack as the Skald starts flying. When Mal begins rushing the others into the back room, Pems nods to Mal and takes a moment to put on his 'happy to see you' shopkeeper face, then goes with Nadya to face the soldiers.

Yes, Mal, the twins are in the house.

Right now looks like Quinn, Pems and Hektir are planning to meet the soldiers at the door, while Mal is considering hiding (need a Stealth check, sir, unless you change your mind when no one comes with you). Tsin?

Are the spells I'd had prepared yesterday (and haven't cast yet) still memorized or are they lost with rest?

I would say you still have them if you haven't cast or prepared new spells yet.

Malavarius mutters a quick spell once he feels he's sufficiently hidden (whether Hektir, Quinn, and Tsin followed suit or not) and then waits with baited breath.
forced quiet

Stealth (forced quiet): 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 4 = 14

Hektir nods to Pems, trusting the halfling.

"Find out what they want," Hektir asks while ducking out of sight. He won't be hiding, but be out of easy sight as he wants to hear the conversation and what the soldiers want.

Hiding near Hektir, Malavarius produces a scroll and quietly casts it upon the Tracksmage. "Here you are lad, this might tickle in your ears a bit though. Don't be alarmed. Perfectly normal."

comprehend languages

"Here you are lad, this might tickle in your ears a bit though. Don't be alarmed. Perfectly normal."

Hektir nods to Mal and gives him the nose flick gesture.

Tsin stays back, trying her best to keep her arms folded, in a non-threatening body posture. She fails miserably to do so. She nods quietly, and follows the rest to sights unseen.

Pems draws in a deep breath and mutters to Nadya. "Shall we?"

Quinn hides as requested, staying out of sight and keeping quiet.

Seeing most of you move out of sight, Kashka takes the two boys to their room while Nadya opens the door with Pems. They're greeted by six guards, each clad in cold-weather outfits, though a chain shirt is visible below. They each carry a light steel shield, longsword, dagger and light crossbow with a quiver of bolts.

The captain seems surprised to see the halfling but then gives a cold smile.

"Ah, dette må være en av de utenforstående. Utmerket. Radosek ønsker å snakke med deg. Hvor er de andre?"

Giving Pems a chance to speak first before Nadya does.

Pems smiles broadly at the men, his warmth matching their cold. "Andre? Hva mener du? Jeg er den eneste jeg er! Med unntak av Flash her​​." The white hare pokes his nose out of the backpack and flashes a rabbity grin at the soldiers.

"Vi vet du var på reise med fire mennesker, halvt menneske. Sier du at de ikke lenger er sammen med deg?"

He cranes his neck to look past Nadya into the house.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Pems shakes his head regretfully. "Mennesker? Du mener disse fire lange ben? Den gamle mannen, kvinnen og de ​​to mennene som aldri ville holde kjeft eller holde sine menige i sine bukser? Oh nådig, forlot de går i natt. Synes de to mennene ønsket å kjempe en duell over jenta og den gamle mannen foreslo de gjør det gjennom portalen tilbake i sine hjemland. Skrekkelig kjedelig sortere disse. Jeg blir her. Fint sted, masse snø, anstendige folk. Så, hva kan jeg gjøre for deg?"

Bluff, bluff bluff the soldiers!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Point #1:LOL at Pems.

Hektir listens, thankfully able to understand the strange speak.

Tell him that his mom is no longer with us.

The guardsman looks dubious but after a moment he shrugs.

"Veldig bra da. Kaptein Sertane ønsker å snakke med deg. Du også, kvinne. Kom stille nå, eller vi tar en annen av dine barn med oss også!"

Nadya's face pales at his words, but she doesn't put up any resistance, merely grabbing her fur coat and looking to see what Pems does.

1d20 ⇒ 1

Threatening children, huh? Nope. Never again.

Hektir's hand goes to his scimitar as the guard threatens Nadya's children, his eyes getting that angry glint. He looks at Tsin and Quinn...then moves to deliver his opinion of child-takers directly to the guards, drawing his sword...

"You want to threaten children? Well, now you're facing a real man..and real men protects what nature gives them. I'm going to learn you that lesson good."

Hektir walks up and tries to drive his sword through the man's chest.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 to hit;
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage.

Pems smiles companionably. "Selvfølgelig vil vi komme! Jeg er beæret over å bli invitert."

As Hektir storms into the main room with his scimitar drawn, Malavarius' lament only comes out as a mousy squeak, "I should have saved that scroll for Tsin! Dash it all!"

Hektir's blade catches the man by surprise, his eyes widening and face suddenly going pale as blood spills all over his tabard.

His five companions reach for their blades as they realize they're under attack!

Party is up! Lead guard is still standing, though badly hurt and there are five other humans.

"Oh crap." Pems mumbles as the blood starts flowing.

Pemsworth dodges backward, putting distance between the battle and himself. He sighs and murmurs something even he doesn't understand as his ward settles over Hektir.

+2 deflection to AC and +2 resistance to Saves, Hektir, until you get hit... Then it goes away.

Mott, are the guards reaching for swords/melee weapons or crossbows/ranged weapons?

Swords.

Malavarius moves to the center of the room and calls up a familiar shimmering curtain of protective magic, his obvious glower bouncing between the guards and Hektir the whole while.

Protective Ward: +1 Deflection Bonus to AC for all the friendlies! (so long as they stay within 10 feet of me)

Round 1, Init 16

"Ain't nothing worse than grown men picking on women and children," Hektir says as he spits in the man's face.

He swings his blade again.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 to hit;
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage.

Assuming he's down...Hektir will kick the man off his blade and sneer at the rest. Hektir moves out the door 5' to give room to Tsin.

"Any more of you want to threaten children?"

Thanks Pems!

Round 1, Init 13

Tsin looks at Mal with agreement, but resigns herself to preserve her and hers. If she can five-foot step to the first man, if he's still up, in position for Cleave, she does what she can to prevent the other soldiers from gaining the entrance. "Hektir, this is no way to greet guests at Nadya's home. You should have waited until we were well away from here." If she needs to move outside to chase down the other soldiers, she does so.

Falchion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11 damage
Cleaving Finish, should the first blow drop the first man, and someone is really really close by: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 for 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 = 12 damage

Round 1, init 13

Before Quinn can even react half the guards are bleeding out on the ground. Expecting the other guards to flee, but wanting to conserve his prayers for the day, Quinn gets ready to cast hold person on a guard if it tries to flee.

As the guard fumbles for his sword, Hektir slashes him again, the second wound enough to drop him into the merciful oblivious of unconsciousness, while Mal quickly calls up his protective magics and Pems wards Hektir.

Tsin rushes forward and calmly cuts through two men, their expressions shocked as they crumple to the ground before even getting to draw steel.

The three remaining guards, stunned by the quick, savage bloodshed, rip their swords from their scabbards and stab at Tsin, though one of them finds himself suddenly unable to move as Quinn's prayer takes hold of him.

Tsin's easily able to sidestep the wild attacks as Nadya falls back into the house. "What are you doing!" she cries, her voice horrified.

Round 2, Init 16

Hektir nods at Tsin as she does what she does.

"Careful now, we want some of them alive."

Hektir moves up to another guard, trying to position himself in flank against one that is fighting Tsin.

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15 to hit;
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 damage.

Pems cries in anguish as Nadya darts back and follows her, apologizing in Skald. "Nadya, jeg er så lei meg! Hektir, han er ... Jeg vet ikke, dumt mandig. Han trodde han gjorde best! Raskt, samle dine barn og hva du kan bære. Vi kan ha å flykte."

Round 2, Init 13

Tsin keeps both of the soon-to-be dead men in her peripheral vision. Flank first, followed by a lash out at the second. Keep one alive, keep one alive, keep one alive.... Tsin's eyes dart to the skies, looking for black-winged spies. She remembers not to strike down the vulnerable one under Quinn's influence.

Falchion: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20 for 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11 damage
Cleaving Finish: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 for 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10 damage

"At least this was quick work. Pray that we didn't just kick a hornet's nest."

Round 2, init 13

Quinn scowls heavily at the bloodshed before them. "This was a terrible misdeed we've done our host, we should have attacked these guards outside of town. Quickly, subdue this man and get the bodies out of sight." Quinn starts dragging the first of the corpses into the house.

The guard's armor turns Hektir's blade, but it's no match for Tsin's, as the butcher's apprentice cleaves through the two remaining men and sends them sprawling into the snow.

The last men's eyes roll furiously as he struggles against Quinn's spell.

"Flykt? Flykt der? Selv om jeg hadde et sted å gå, jeg kan ikke dra uten Thora!" Nadya cries.

1d20 ⇒ 3

"Yep. Let's keep that one alive. He needs a good talking to," Hektir goes to the up the remaining soldier. Hektir gives a nod to Quinn for the good spellery.

"Pems, did you want to see if you can coax information out of this one? We need to know how many men they have in town. And details about the Pale Tower. And who is Sertane? If not, Tsin and I can take him into the woods and show him what we do to kidnappers."

Hektir walks around, still annoyed at kidnappers.

"And find out if any other children have been kidnapped too. And what happens to them."

Hektir spits and eyes the soldier.

"The least of our problems is the life of that man." Tsin points at the frozen hostage. "Word is sure to make its way back to the Tower now, and the second wave of soldiers will do more than look for us. They'll likely burn down Nadya's house as an example. Possibly with her in it." Tsin is wiping her blade off, and looking for places where dead bodies will find hiding places most easily.

"Well, the only noble thing to do now is a full assault on the tower and the rescue of Nadya's child." Quinn adjusts his pack and gear, "You guys ready? Let's have this guy tell us everything he can about the tower and how to get into it and what waits inside, then for everything he lied about we'll let the butcher extract an appropriate weight for the lie when we get back."