[PFS_Aerondor] 02-19 Shades of Ice part III: Keep of the Huscarl King (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

"This one lives still. Perhaps vwe can get some answers."

The Pharasmin priest kneels down to perform some healing of his own on the not-dead-yet Kellid warrior. As the warrior comes to, Grigori holds his hand up in a gesture of peace, and asks his comrades, "Does anyone perchance speak his language?"

Use wand of CLW until the man is conscious:
HP Kellid warrior is healed: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
*sigh* ...more HP Kellid warrior is healed: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Come on! More than a friggin 1 please!: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Grigori consumes a potion of endure elements when he starts to get a little too chilly.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
He still has his cold weather outfit. He'll stick with that temporarily at least.

"Nay, Grigori, not unless the lad can speak Taldane, Dwarven, or Goblin."

It only takes a couple of traps of the wand, and the Kellid warrior comes around.

He looks wary and unfriendly, but in his weakened condition is in no condition to fight.

Anyone speak Hallit?

I do not, but if we could use the last two charges from my wand that Ozak didn't need on the elf, that may put him in a better mood
Jazmine crouches next to the elf and offers food from her pack. Not wanting to crowd or scare him, she waves Giggles back, who curious as ever, is sniffing around.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ozak drinks his potion of endure elements.

"Can anyone understand what he is saying?" Ozak asks the group.

Alas

"Not very greatful for the healing is he. Perhaps you shouldn't give him anymore Jazmine, it is only spoilt on him..."

The Kellid are a tribe of humans, not elves.

Looking around, the badly injured man slowly gets to his feet.

Status
Darius 1 round rage used.
Zimti 1 extract used.
Grigori Endure elements(potion)
Hanud Made fort save against cold, morning
Ozak Endure elements (potion)

I still need to know how Darius, Zimti, Juniper and giggles are protecting themselves from the cold

Sorry about the mixup. human.. elf... whatever! lol, Just kidding! I will keep that in mind. As for the elements, Two spell slots are dedicated to endure elements for myself and Giggles to be cast every day.

Jazmine looks about and tries to communicate with the man using gestures and expressions. She waves her hand to the carnage around them and looks to the man and holds her hands out with a questioning look

Sorry, warmth outfit and my high fort
fort vs cold: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 5 = 17

The man looks around the bodies, turning over the snowmask ones so he can identify them - but keeping an eye on the pathfinders as he does so.

Of the city men, he shows no real interest.

Eventually he thinks he understands Jazmine.

Drawing a line in the snow he puts a city man on one size and stands on the other himself. Pointing to the city-man he gestures walking, his hand moving from the dead man and slowly moving over the line.

When it gets over the line, he hits it with his other hand.

Slowly he backs away from the group of pathfinders.

Jazmine pantomimes back at him, gesturing towards the Kellid and then makes an attacking motion towards the dead man, asking if the Kellids attacked the city men

He nods, and then turns as if he is about to run off.

Then he stops and looks and each of you with a defiant look in his eyes. Pointing to you he then points on his side of the line and gestures walking back over it.

Turning his back on the pathfinders he defiantly starts walking away.

"Well, it looks like we have really stepped into a mess. What do we do now?"

"Act." Hanud begins following the man, no weapon drawn, but shield held on his arm.

Hanud makes enough noise (for sure under any circumstances) to encourage the young Kellid to look back and see him both cross the line and see to it that he is not in the mood to argue.

The priest observes Hanud's defiant action, yet hesitates to do likewise. He has mixed feelings, that no good can come of this, and yet is also curious to see how the Kellid will respond.

"I pray I do not have to recite prayers for the departed once more, comrade Hanud..."

"Such brutes, they don't even speak a common language. Perhaps that is why they fought, they can't understand eachother he he."

"Maybe these men are protecting home and other group is invaders. Or at least seen as that." Ozak says to Darius, "We would all defend our home."

The wounded man notes Hanud follow him. He gestures angrily for him to go away, and then turns around and trots off at a rate that the group cannot easily match. His route is also away from the tracks, and away from the marked route on the map.

Hanud walks back to the others, taking the man running away with typical dwarven indignance. "Lad, I hope yer ancestors weren't so ungrateful." He mutters as he returns to the Pathfinders.

Walking back at the end of Ozak's comment, Hanud replies "They're probably set up in clans, with strongly defended borders. I dinnae believe he will be a threat, but, if he brings friends later, we may be needin' some prayers. Let's be off and get ourselves back on track. Grigori, you all set with last rites here? Proper burials are somethign we dinnae have time fer."

Jazmine agrees whole heartedly with Hanud. "Lets get moving. I pray that his clan is not too badly damaged by this fight." With this, Jazmine looks about at the receding tracks and starts to follow them, with Giggles at her side.

About an hour after the barbarian runs off, Jazmine hears the sound of a horn off to the south (the barbarian had run off to the east, but as you are travelling north-east, you are likely to be north of his current postion).

A few moments later, she hears the sound of another horn- to the north east (basicaly the direction you and the tracks are headed).

"Horns! They sound like they are on either side of us.. Do we run or hide?"

"Battle horns, undoubtedly." The priest ponders the scenario a moment, scratching his bearded chin. Then he remarks as he looks around, "Vwe should find cover, for now. I do not fear battle, of course," he adds this to maintain the courageous appearance he imagines Jazmine has of him, "But our meession is to find the deceased Kellid king's vweapon. I believe vwe should prefer to befriend the Kellid savages, since they vwould know best vwhere the king's tomb and vweapon lie. Perhaps vwe can vwatch at first, then use the element of surprise and come to their aid." Grigori continues looking about for a good place for cover. "Should their opposition prove the stronger though, vwe might feign alliance vwith them instead. Perhaps they can be used to achieve our goal, under the guise of helping them..."

He then heads off to take cover, "Now let us be quick, before they arrive!"

Spot a good place for all to take cover:
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

The horns are quite distant, but still, the group finds some rocks to take cover in. After about ten minutes, no horde of raging barbarians has appeared.

Are the horns still sounding? If they are.

"Prehaps we misunderstand the horns? Maybe they are warning for somthing else. We should go take a see.. look."

The horns were a one off blast from the south, followed a bit later by some blasts to the north east. No horns for the last ten minutes.

"Well, that was a bit anti-climatic.. I think we should move on, but be cautious."

"Aye. I'll lead the way, young ones. I'll be able to defend meself if there's any problems in the path ahead. Ozak, would ye kindly watch me back nearer, while the rest of ye, prepare with ranged weapons. Zimti, please don't whack me in the back of the head with yer sticks."

Hanud takes point, walking at a "brisk" pace for himself, while keeping his eyes open for trouble.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

"Hmmm, perhaps things work a little differently up here," the priest says to save face.

"Lead on, comrade," he replies to Hanud, hands ready to whip out his new and trusty crossbow... bejeweled with a few carnelians, and made of exotic Garundian blackwood, all to match his courtly outfit, of course.

Assist Hanud (+2) in perceiving trouble:
Perception vs DC 10: 10 + 3 = 13

The team heads onwards. Hours pass slowly (and for some members, coldly). The gradual shift into rockier terrain is now more apparent than ever. Large, round stones evoke cobblestones as they form a layer of ground, although the hard-packed snow is still visible between. Ahead, an ancient ring of boulders juts from the ground to form a ring. The wind’s erratic path around the massive rocks has blown the snow into large, haphazard drifts. It is approaching dusk and a cold wind howls over the tundra.

Can I get fort saves against cold for Darius and Hanud please, DC17

Status
Darius 1 round rage used. Made fort vs cold, morning
Zimti Endure elements (extract)2 extract used.
Grigori Endure elements(potion)
Hanud Made fort save against cold, morning
Ozak Endure elements (potion)
Juiper Endure Elements (spell)
Giggles Endure Elements (spell)

fort cold: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 5 = 27

"This icy place is starting to bore me. Are we there yet?" Darius asks, all joy taken away by the surroundings.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"We may want to find shelter if we dont find our destination soon." Ozak remarks.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

You know from the map that it is likely a few days journey, so you will have to rest somewhere

Jazmine points out the ring, and suggests "Lets check that out, then find somewhere to settle down for the night. And out here, we had better set a watch."

By evening, Hanud is ready to stop resisting the cold. He drinks a potion of Endure Elements to allow him rest for this evening.

"I'll be happy to take a night watch, given I can see in the dark. This place is likely teeming with unpleasant things at some point in the day.... or night."

knowledge: Geography for natural creatures: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
knowledge: Dungeoneering for unnatural creatures that could come out of caves & such: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

And failure occurs.

Indeed the map indicates that not too far away there is a cave you might take refuge in.

However before doing so..

Several of the nearby snowdrifts burst open, revealing more of the white faced barbarians! Darius is the only one quick enough to react to the initial assault. (They are around 30' away; I'll not post a map during the surprise round.)

Status (suprise round) Bold may post
Jazmine
Giggles
Ozak
Grigori
Darius
Zimti
Hanud
Barbarians

Darius laughs with glee and charges the nearest barbarian slashing his big sword at it. "Finally let's paint the snow red again!!!"

nodachi+rage: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 301d10 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
nodachi+rage confirm?: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 = 141d10 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

intimidation for the incredible scene of a clown charging brute barbarians and possibly slashing ones head off: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

A fountain of blood covers the snow covered half-orc and he turns in the spray, covering himself with red mush as the snow colors the snow on his clothing crimson red.

The first barbarian drops to the snow, his head somewhat separated from his body.

The barbarians two colleagues charge the rest of the team.

attack-Zimti: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
attack-Juniper: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Juniper takes a hefty blow
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Technically a surprise round is a single action, but I can't see this making a substantive difference

Status: Bold may post
Jazmine Endure elements, 8 damage
Giggles Endure elements
Ozak Endure elements
Grigori Endure elements
Darius
Zimti 2 extract used; Endure elements
Hanud Endure elements
Barbarians

Round 1

Enraged by the attack upon his beautiful flower, Grigori draws his sword. Knowing he cannot (probably) understand his angry words, he speaks anyway, "You must have desires of a different kind to attack such precious beauty as she, savage brute!"

But before engaging in melee, the priest raises his free hand and recites a rather sensual-sounding prayer to his goddess. Making an obscene gesture with his free hand to the kellid, he then points to Darius...

Cast unnatural lust on the kellid who successfully attacked Jazmine (Will vs DC 13 negates). :D

Ozak draws a wakazashi and slashes at the barbarian next to him.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Crit conferm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I noticed on the map it says tier 4-5 we're doing a 1-2 tier right?

The Kellid looks at Darius as unnatural feelings swell through him...
will DC13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 But the barbarians of the north are not easily trapped by simple tricks, and after a moments look, turns his attention back to Jazmine.

Ozak has more luck spillinge Kellid blood, but the man stays standing.

Status: Bold may post
Jazmine Endure elements, 8 damage
Giggles Endure elements
Ozak Endure elements
Grigori Endure elements
Darius
Zimti 2 extract used; Endure elements
Hanud Endure elements
Barbarian1 dead
Barbarian 2 9 damage
Barbarian 3

Don't worry about writing on the map, you are playing low-tier.

The little wayang pulls out his stick and tries to beat the barbarian away, before stepping aside. "Stay away! Don't you know it's not proper to try to hit people like that?"

MA Draw club. SA Attack!. FA 5' step.

Club: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Crying out as her flesh tears under the Kellids weapon, Jazmine draws her sword and defends herself.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Seeing the man fall, she turns to the last member of the tribe and gestures that he should surrender. "So much for making friends.. but at least hopefully we can get him to talk.. Giggles, you may eat him if he tries anything!" At her words, Giggles snarls at the barbarian but does not yet attack.
I am assuming that the man in front of Jazmine is the one that has the nine damage, and the one on the other side of Giggles in unharmed at this point. If this is wrong, let me know.. I will reevaluate what my actions are. Giggles is holding action, waiting for the man to make his decision.

No the one that has 9 damage is by me. the one by you now has 9 damage. Giggles might want to kill him.

"Barkeep! ANOTHER!" Darius screams with glee and turns his attention on the barbarian between him and Grigori.

nodachi + flank + pa + rage: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 - 1 + 2 = 171d10 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 3 = 14

Or do I have to run to the other side of the map? If so I can make it, but no flank then.

Sorry, the Bs and Ws are just map markings that I didn't get around to editing out. I moved Darius over to where he can attack Jazmine's barbarian.

Jazmine slashes at her barbarian, and then Darius comes up behind and removes a second head in a matter of seconds. The third falls to a flying club courtesy of Zimti.

Combat over

Status:
Jazmine Endure elements, 8 damage
Giggles Endure elements
Ozak Endure elements
Grigori Endure elements
Darius
Zimti 2 extract used; Endure elements
Hanud Endure elements
Barbarian1 dead
Barbarian 2 dead
Barbarian 3 dying

Grigori immediately rushes over to the dying barbarian. He ascertains his wounds and applies pressure to stop the bleeding.

Looking at Darius with wariness, "Leave this one alive for information." Before anyone can ask the priest how he intends to ask questions without understanding their language, he explains, "In the morning, I vwill ask for the Lady's blessing upon my ears so that I may understand their speech. I vwon't be able to speak it, but understanding the vwords he utters may prove... invaluable."

If anyone tries to use a wand or other magical healing, Grigori holds up his hand in defiance. "He is stable. Let us vwait until morn before reviving him, I vwant to understand him before he begins talking."

Stabilize the dying barbarian:
Heal (First Aid) vs DC 15: 10 + 8 = 18

Grigori also tries to figure out how many hours the barbarian will be unconscious if left without any magic healing. Let's keep him unconscious until morning, when I can begin understanding him.

Without magical healing he might recover tomorrow, or it may be later. Certainly he is not very well.

Hanud nods at Grigori. "I dinnae like it, lad. But, yer right. We dinnae want a prisoner, we want to appear to be somewhat more helpful."

Dragging the wounded warrior with you, you follow the map to a small cave. There at least you are out of the biting wind. Even the ambient cold is bad though...

Status:
Jazmine Endure elements, 8 damage
Giggles Endure elements
Ozak Endure elements
Grigori Endure elements
Darius
Zimti 2 extract used; Endure elements
Hanud Endure elements