[PFS]DM Elanmorin's Shades of Ice, Part II: The Exiles of Winter (Inactive)

Game Master Rogar Valertis

Midge smiles, happily stuffing her few coins back into her pouch.

"Thanks!"

Thanks!

"That's very generous of you" the Varisian says nodding approvingly at Scuttlebutt.

Then he adds:"Join in then. My name is Soares Lupei and you'll be travelling with my family. I won't ask what brings you to the frigid land of Winter. Just remember. Just keep your head down and leave the guards alone. You two, half-orcs" Soares points at Dragall and Zane "You will pose as hired caravan security. You have the physique for it. As for the rest of you, you are just fellow merchants and hired hands, behave as such. As I said, keep your heads down and nothing will go wrong. I travel here twice a year and I'm well known in Winterthrone. The guards won't look at us twice unless you go out of your way to draw their attention"

True to his word Soares allows you to join his caravan and you find the rest of his people to be pretty friendly. As your new friends reach the gates there's brief hushed talk between Soares and the guards, then the giant portcullis is lifted and you start moving inside the town until you reach market square where you stop again. Soares comes back to you and smiles:"We are here friends. Now, you can stay with us or you can slip away and do whatever you came here to do. Just rememebr: in case you are caught we never met each other and none here has ever seen the likes of you, is that clear?" he says in a serious tone.

So far so good. You have successfully infiltrated Winterthrone. By consulting the map you found on Runa White's corpse you know the Shadow Lodge is hidden under a place called Auntie Marny’s Bitter Brew. Thanks to the map you won't have any problem getting there but you'll still need to avoid the city watch patrols. Mechanically this means the party member with the LOWEST stealth has to roll it and beat a DC of 10. If he or she fails by 5 or more you get found out by the Iron Guard and things turn for the worse...

I do believe Scuttlebutt has the worst stealth with a -1. But I will spend a point of inspiration to add a d6 to that and if it still comes out lousy, I'll use my reroll with +3 for GM stars.

Stealth -1, plus inspiration: 1d20 - 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) - 1 + (5) = 17

Whew, he managed to pick up some tips from his teammates and managed to stay unnoticed!

Zane thanks Soares and waits quietly for team to decide which way to go.

Stealth +4

Yup, Scuttlebutt's stealth is lower than mine, which is +2.

"Auntie Marny's Bitter Brew, hey..." Midge mutters to herself as she tries to orient herself in this strange, new city.

Dragall stealth is +4

Both times, when Scuttlebutt generously covered for the group as they joined up with Soares' caravansary and when Zane thanked the Varisian caravan-master in turn, Thundercloud- as he would be known to the rest of his fellow Pathfinders- gave his best smile and "thumbs up" gesture as either a sign of thanks or acquiescence.

In response to box-sitting Midge (presumably being dragged along by Calephe), Thundercloud pipes in with, "Sounds like a place that wouldn't be having any fake barflies or lookalike actors over there- just a bunch of fake Pathfinders... if that map was accurate."

Not sure if it would be needed, but could we aid another on Scuttlebutt's stealth score?

If so... stealthy aiding: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

"Does anyone know in which direction we should go?
First we have to find someone who knows where Shadow Lodge headquarters is, I guess."

"We've got a map," Midge reminds Dragall. "Who has it again?" Midge looks around at her companions, knowing it's not her who was entrusted with it.

Yes, but the map has no mark on place where we should go."

It says on the DMs post above that thanks to the map we won't have any trouble getting there.

With the Caravan

Calephe is excited to be able to speak with fellow Varisians on the way into the city. She asks about the latest gossip, and tells some of her own. It's been a while since she's been back to her birthplace.

I've got the map." Calpehe says. She steps into a dark corner and pulls it out to study it. After a couple of minutes of study, "That way." she points in the direction of the tavern." She starts pulling the box and Midge in that direction.

Just because pulling around a hafling sounds like fun.

Riding a sled sounds fun. Haha.

You prove surprisingly effective sneaking through the frozen streets of Winterthrone while avoiding the Iron Guard's patrols.
Thanks to the information you collected from Runa White's dead body, you know the Shadow Lodge to he holed under a place called Auntie Marny’s Bitter Brewery. A tavern/brewery that closed down 10 years ago. With this knowledge, and Runa's map it takes you less than an hour to locate the place.
As it comes into view, you see a large, dilapidated building that sits crammed between equally dilapidated warehouses and flophouses. Its doors are chained shut, its windows are filled with broken glass and boarded from the inside, and its facade is faded, crumbling, and encrusted with icicles. Faded, hard-to-read letters are painted 10 feet tall across the top of the ruined structure—they read: Auntie Marny’s Bitter Brew. It's where you know the Shadow Lodgers are hiding and where Rognvald Skagni is being held captive.
With your resolve made you approach the dilapidated establishment. The front door isn't locked and you gain access to what amounts to your enemies' base. A mass of broken tables, chairs, and barstools clutter the center of this dusty room, and a crumbling bar still stands in front of a broken mirror on the north wall. Three small alcoves in the southwest corner once served as semiprivate bar booths but now host only rubble. The door to a storage room in the northwest corner hangs loose on its hinges, the smell of rotting refuse wafting from within. Two sets of double doors lead to the street to the south and farther into the building to the north.

New map up

Zane will ready his greataxe and carefully looks around:

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Nice!!

Dragall pulls out his crossbow ready to shot if something strange moves in front of him. Holding it in front of him enters the south room with a doors.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

If there is nothing to shoot at, he starts to cast detect magic in both rooms.

Calephe puts down the darned box. "I'll be really happy when I can get rid of this thing." She pulls out her kukris and takes her place at the front of the group.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

North is the double doors?

Zane will move forward towards the double doors and listens pressing his head to the smooth wood.

I am using an iPad and cannot edit Google Slides. Please move Zane towards double doors.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Moved you.

Midge mutters a few strange words as she moves her hands in a strange manner, right hand drawing a half-moon in the air and the other hand cutting through it from top to bottom. There's a sudden shimmer in the air before her, and then nothing. Midge casts mage armour on herself.

Then she follows the others into the building cautiously and looks around.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

When Zane moves forward towards the double doors and listens, she follows close behind.

I assume Dragall can not find anything because DM did not write anything for Dragall

Dragall leaves the south room and stops 15ft from the west double doors ready to fire when the door opens.

Who will be brave enough to open the door?" he said that with a smile on his face.

To clarify: there's nothing threatening in the room you are in. Because of his fine hearing Zane could hear something from the other room, which is to the north from where you are standing (yes, North is towards the double door)

As Dragall approaches the doors he hears a feral growl followed by loud barking coming from the room beyond...

I'm sorry I did not notice the arrow labeled west. Then Dragall was in the west room and went to door on the north side.

Zane will wait for the others to join him by the door, and hand motions his intent to open the doors and that everyone should be ready to attack.

He will then study the double doors, are they locked? How sturdy are they? From the growling and barking can he determine if the dog-like creature is just on the other side of the doors or is it deeper inside the western room?

Zane studies the double doors and knows them to be closed but not locked. A cursory glance is enough to confirm the door to be rather average and it's clear the barking creatures move back and forth inside the other room.

@DMElan Morin, if Minuro/Thundercloud hears the growling behind the doors, would it sound similar or dissimilar to the Goblin Dog encountered in Shades of Ice, part 1?

stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15.

Noting that Zane is examining the double doors intently, Minuro /Thundercloud will get into bolt flinging position behind the half-orc while taking out his buckler into the combat readiness position.

Who will be brave enough to open the door?" he said that with a smile on his face.

Replying to the other half-orc, Minuro/Thundercloud answers, "I think I can remotely open those doors from a safe distance if they aren't locked or anything... won't be of much help if anyone behind those doors happen to be hostile". The masked Wayang grimaces a bit as his past recollections of "accidentally" opening up changing rooms did little to prevent any physical retaliations (justifiably so) from said occupants of those changing rooms...

In theory, Thundercloud could use open/close upon the doors if needed so that Zane doesn't have waste a movement to open the doors; he'd have to attack in the next round afterwards though.

Dragall take over things in his hands. Save the crossbow and takes Greataxe in his hands. He approaches the door and produces sound of angry dragon (cast Ghost Sound - DC15 Will disbelief ) in the hope that he will scare the creatures on the other side of the door. Then he opens the door.
If a creature stands behind the door he hits it with his Greataxe.

To hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Zane nods at Thundercloud and readies his greataxe, "Go ahead and open the doors, I am ready..."

When doors open he will attack any creatures that jump out at him:

Attack, greataxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage, greataxe: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

@Minuro: Nope, they don't sound like the goblin dogs at all. They sound hungry, angry and feral though

As Dragall flings the doors open three huge guard dogs run towards him and Zane, fangs bared, white foam coming out of their maws and maddened red eyes the signs marking their appearance!

Round 01 - Bold may act

Midge
Scuttlebutt

Dog (red)
Dog (blue)
Dog (yellow)

Calephe
Thundercloud
Dragall Readied attack
Zane Readied attack

"Over here, ya' mutt!" Midge exclaims as she slips a little closer to the fight. She mutters in a strange language and moves her arms through the air, her right hand draws a circle and the left stabs forward, causing a glob of acid to fly through the air at the nearest dog.

Casting acid splash at the yellow dog.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2 acid

D'oh!

Before the battle.

Calphe moves up behind Tiny her weapons out ready to see what comes through the doorway.

"Flustering flounders!" Scuttlebutt exclaims to himself as he realizes he was lost in thought looking around the first entered area of the building and did not keep up with the group, only now realizing danger is upon them. His frustration doubles as the heavy winter clothing slows him down as he tries to rush forward while drawing and loading his hand crossbow.

Move action to move ahead 20 feet, drawing a hand crossbow as part of that move action, second move action to load the crossbow.

Two questions: would someone mind moving my token to four squares right of Calephe? I'm on my phone and can't manipulate the map on the mobile format. Second question: is it warmer enough inside the building to take off the cold-weather outfit; after combat, that is. The encumbrance is killing me!

Midge throws acid at one of the incoming dogs but the beast easily sidesteps it and the glob hits the floor causing it to fizzle harmlessly where it lands.
As soon as he follows his companions inside the old brewery Scuttlebutt disrobes at once then he draws his crossbow and loads it.
Meanwhile the dogs jump towards Zane and Dragall but the 2 half orcs make short work of the mutts putting them down with 2 carefully aimed strikes.
Yet, the last of their number charges forward undaunted by the death of its packmates!

Attack roll (blue vs Dragall): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 -> Damage roll: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

In his rage its jaws miss the half orc oracle though.

Round 01 - Bold may act

Midge
Scuttlebutt

Dog (blue)

Calephe
Thundercloud
Dragall
Zane

On his turn
Dragall shouts at the blue dog: "You wanted to bite me, bite this!"

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

confirm critical: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
damage: 3d12 + 9 ⇒ (10, 1, 4) + 9 = 24
Then he hits the dog with greataxe.

Dragall finishes off the last dog. Seems like the first approach with your enemies defenses went rather well...

Surprise Round - Bold may act

Midge
The thundercloud

Goblin (blue)
Goblin (black)
Goblin (green)
Goblin (yellow)

Calephe
Zane
Dragall
Scuttlebutt

First Midge, then the goblins then Midge again as normal round starts

Surprise Round

"There! In the rafters!" Midge shouts. "Runty little goblins!"

How high off the ground are they?

Unable to reach the goblins with her favourite spells before they fire their arrows, Midge draws her dagger.

Waiting to see the outcome of the goblin attacks before posting round one.

Calephe moves into the room weapons out. She looks for other enemies in the room.

I think I see three enemies on the tables. Goblins?

4 enemies and they are on the rafters 20 feet above the ground. I take that's the action Calephe performs as her round 01 action

"Stick the longshanks, stick theeeeem!"The goblins screetch as they fire the first hail of arrovs at Zane and Dragall.

Attack roll (yellow vs Zane): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 -> damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Attack roll (green vs Zane): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 -> damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Attack roll (blue vs Dragall): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 -> damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack roll (black vs Dragall): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 -> damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Edit

(yellow vs Zane) confirmation check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 -> damage roll: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

And they prove surprisingly effective causing both half orcs to bleed!

Round 01 - Bold may act

Midge
The thundercloud

Goblin (blue)
Goblin (black)
Goblin (green)
Goblin (yellow)

Calephe
Zane -5hp
Dragall -3hp
Scuttlebutt

What are those circle things between Midge and the black goblin? I'm assuming they block my line of sight?

Midge hurries into the room. Finding the goblin in front of her just out of range of her preferred spell, Midge places a hand on her chest and focuses on the divine power hidden within her. She raises a hand and fires a beam of light at the goblin in the rafters in front of her.

Moving into the room. Using heavenly fire on the blue goblin.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 This damage is divine and not subject to energy resistance or immunity. If the goblin is evil he is wounded by the damage, if he is good he is healed by it, and if he is neither good nor evil he is unaffected.

@Midge: It's part of the brewery's equipment and yes, it provides cover

Midge's target screams in obvious pain as her spell burns its skin causing small tendrils of smoke to raise from it. The evil little creature still stands though.

Round 01 - Bold may act

Midge
The thundercloud

Goblin (blue) -5hp
Goblin (black)
Goblin (green)
Goblin (yellow)

Calephe
Zane -5hp
Dragall -3hp
Scuttlebutt

Posting now as I am going to be busy later tonight. If Zane survives next volley from goblins...

Zane drops his greataxe and pulls out a sling he carries on his belt. He whips a bullet at the closest goblin he sees. Then ducks behind the wall.

Free action: drop greataxe
Move action: draw sling
Standard action: range attack at blue goblin
5ft. step behind wall on his right for cover.

Range Attack, sling: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Damage, sling bullet: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Damage, Crit Double: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

On his turn.
Dragall releases his greataxe (free action) and he draws his loaded crossbow (as standard action because of Oracle's Haunted Curse). He stays hidden behind the doors.

Botting the Thundercloud

The "tiny" Thundercloud, fearsome vigilante won't let some goblins stand between him and the pursuit of justice! So the wayang hero throws caution to the wind anters the room ahead of his friends and sends bolts of energy at the goblin with the yellow cap!

Attack roll (mystic bolt vs yellow): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 -> Damage roll: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Unfortunately his target scuttles away avoiding the blast completely.

Emboldened by their previous success the 4 goblins start chanting"Some
broken glass, a pot thats red
makes a club to smash his head.
When we find a metal bit,
we makes a knife to slash the git.... then they shoot again, but this time they pick a different target each!

Attack roll (green vs Zane): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 -> Damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Attack roll (yellow vs The Thundercloud): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 -> Damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack roll (black vs Dragall): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 -> Damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack roll (blue vs Midge): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 -> Damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Zane and The Thundercloud are hit, but the enemy weapons don't pack a punch so it's mainly scratches...

...Yet being turned into a pincushion doesn't sit well with Zane, who reacts by attacking the goblin in the blue cap with his sling. Having been previously wounded by Midge Zane's bullet is enough to cause the creature to loose its footing and fall down on the floor dead on impact (despite some rather repulsive noises coming from its shaking carcass).

Meanwhile Dragal takes out his crossbow and Calephe strides into the enemy's den as well...

Round 01 - Bold may act

Midge
The thundercloud -3hp

Goblin (black)
Goblin (green)
Goblin (yellow)

Calephe
Zane -6hp
Dragall -3hp
Scuttlebutt

Feel free to start round 2

"Clanging cauldrons, more goblins in league with the Shadow Lodge? I should have recognized that odor sooner," snarls Scuttlebutt as he grimaces at the new threat.

The scholarly Pathfinder advances to the open doors and strums a hand across the front of his chain shirt. Strangely harmonious sounds emit from his armor, and begins to blend with the sailing song he begins belting out.

First move action to advance across the map, second move action to start his bardic performance with his singing steel armor

Inspire courage is going.

"Yes!" Midge exclaims as Zane finishes off the goblin. Midge scampers forward, closer to the goblin in the black cap. She mutters in a strange language and moves her arms through the air, her right hand draws a circle and the left stabs forward causing a glob of acid to fly at the goblin.

Moving closer to the black goblin. Casting acid splash. Rolls include inspire courage and point blank shot bonuses.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 acid damage.

Scuttlebutt chant strengthens his friends resolve to defeat the goblin infestation.
Midge aim proves true again as she wounds another enemy. It starts shrieking wailing like he's being cooked alive... "Raaaaaghhaahhhha!"
The Thundercloud summons his mystical powers again against the goblin with the yellow cap.

Attack roll (mystic bolt vs yellow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

He gets closer but the goblin avoids the lightning bolt at the last time.

The 3 remaining goblins keep shooting but leaderless as they are, they can't seem to focus on a single target.

Attack roll (black vs Midge): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 -> Damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Attack roll (yellow vs the Thundercloud): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 -> Damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack roll (green vs Dragall): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 -> Damage roll: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The result of such chaotic tactics is that only Midge suffers a minor scratch from her opponent.

Round 02 - Bold may act

Active bonus: Inspire courage

Midge -1hp
The thundercloud -3hp

Goblin (black) -4hp
Goblin (green)
Goblin (yellow)

Calephe
Zane -6hp
Dragall -3hp
Scuttlebutt

Feel free to start round 3

Zane loads another stone in his sling and steps into the doorway and fires at the black cap goblin.

Attack, sling: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 1 = 16
Damage, sling: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Singing in response to the hideous ditty of the goblins:
"Take these stones,
May they break your bones,
Fall from the ceiling,
Goblin weakling!!"

Perform Sing, untrained: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

OMG!! That roll is perfect for the song ;-)

Scuttlebutt winces at Zane's take on goblin crooning but recalls his own tone deaf beginnings at singing and the years of practice he's put in to achieve the capabilities he has now. He strides into the next room, continuing his own song while he takes aim at one of the foul smelling adversaries in the rafters with his hand crossbow.

Free action, maintain bardic performance to inspire courage; move action, advance 30 ft; standard action, fire at yellow.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14

damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Midge lets out a laugh at Zanes song. "That's the spirit!" she exclaims.

Then she mutters in a strange language again, moves her right hand through the air in a circular pattern and thrusts forward with the left, causing a glob of acid to fly at the goblin.

Round three action. Casting acid splash at the black goblin.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 16
Acid Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Uhh... Cast a spell and watch it fly," Midge begins to sing. "Hit them right between the eyes, What them sizzle, watch them squeal," suddenly she crinkles her nose in disgust and exclaims: "...Oh, gods, is that ever morbid! How horrible! I feel so mean!"