PbP Gameday V - #0-04: The Frozen Fingers of Midnight (CORE) (Inactive)

Game Master SirPeter

Ahmandé nods at the pair as he walks into the garden. "You made the right choice; we come to assist your lord, and he does expect us."

Grams steps forward into the courtyard.....

"There now, was that so 'ard?" He sweeps a bow, indicating that the ladies should proceed before him. "Lasses first!" Then, he takes a position to the rear of the group, just in case these guards are not entirely on the up and up...

Evarice shakes her head.

"Thank you. Move aside."

Evarice steps in.

Watching the guards move aside Tahltria moves up and joins the others although she keeps her hand ready to draw her blade in case the guards change their minds.

Hadanka goes with the others shaking his head. He suspects things will not go well.

As the most of you surmised, those northlanders aren't Skelg's guards, and as soon as you cross the front gate, they draw their axes and tries to hit you!

Turn order (bold may act)
Ahmandé; Hádanka; Tahltria;
bad guy #1
Grams; Evarice
bad guy #2
Zachorius

Ahmandé is clearly shocked by the guards' behavior, though thankfully notices the treachery and is able to respond. He draws his sword, and at the same time begins a performance to help inspire his allies. "These are but charlatans. Not real guards, also not really skilled in combat. This one doesn’t even know the basic stances, and look at how that one grips his weapon. Ludicrous!"

Draw weapon: move action
Inspire courage: standard action – Allies receive +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls

Evarice exhales and shakes her head. "I'm making a citizen's arrest."

Hadanka mutters to himself, Fools you cannot expect to stand against us.

guisarme attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 if hits, guisarme damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

if someone could move my token please I can't do so on my phone. thanks

With an unexpected fluidity Tahltria slides out Dirgesinger from the scabbard and immediately an eerie hollow sounds escapes the sheath. Tahltria zigzags between the others and you watch as the flat of her feet never touch the ground until she slides to a halt several feet in front of one of the imposter guards and she slices with Dirgesinger.

Elven curved blade '2hands'+song: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14
damage+song: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

I moved Tahltria's token

Ahmandé starts to sing a song to inspire his allies, while Hádanka and Tahltria tries to hit the ulfens, but both misses their targets.

By his side, the ulfen with a green bandana, cuts deeply in Hádanka's flesh with his axe. 9 dmg to Hádanka!

Turn order (bold may act)
Ahmandé; Hádanka (9 dmg); Tahltria;
bad guy #1
Grams; Evarice
bad guy #2
Zachorius

thks Ahmandé

Grams moves swiftly seeing that the other Ulfen would likely attack his comrades, after seeing Hadanka bleed. His hand snakes out attempting to relieve the man of his axe.
Disarm, will Provoke AOO 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Unless he Combat Reflexes he can't take an AoO against you, Grams.

With one hand, Evarice draws her bow. With the other, she raises her hand. A lightning bolt shoots forth, aiming at the green-clad warrior.

Ranged Touch, Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage, Into Melee: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 13
Electric Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

I just realized that since he is adjacent to me, I could not have attacked with the guisarme. That would have been a war hammer attack. Still a miss, so no big deal.

He tries to catch the ulfen's axe, but the warrior was fastest than the monk, and the northern keeps his weapon in hands.

By her side, Evarice tries to connect an electric bolt against the green-clad warrior, which flies close to the target and misses for a little, maybe because he has some cover provided by the cleric's friends.

The ulfen-in-yellow swings his axe in the direction of the dwarf that tried to disarm him, but the blow passes away from the target.

Turn order (bold may act)
Ahmandé; Hádanka (9 dmg); Tahltria;
bad guy #1
Grams; Evarice
bad guy #2
Zachorius

With death on her mind she attacks the impostor in front of her allowing herself to be taken in by Ahmandé's song.

Not sure if the song is still up so minus the +1 from hit/damage

Elven curved blade '2hands'+song: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

confirm?: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17
crit damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Ahmandé takes a 5' step back to be out of range of melee attacks, and continues his performance (free action). He draws his bow (move action) and fires an arrow at the guard in yellow (standard action).

Shortbow, point blank shot, inspire courage, into melee: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 17
Damage, point blank shot: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Ahmandé uses Perform (act) for his performances, so it's not a song. As a street performer, you can think of it more as a mime act (though not necessarily silent) that attempts to mock his opponents, making them seem silly or ineffective, thus inspiring his allies to greater feats of glory.

apologies I'll remember that next time

Zachorius glowers at the Ulfen riff-raff and draws his rapier. "Feh! Yar not worthy o' tha Lucky Drunk's ale, ya bloody pox!" He lunges, stabbing the one closest to him.

Rapier Attack vs Yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

You actually cut me you @#&*^%!!!

performance plus rage

warhammer attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11, if hits warhammer damage: 1d8 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14

Zachorius penetrates the ulfen-in-yellow flesh with his rapier.

Ahmandé leaves his sword on the ground, makes a step back and connect an arrow against the same ulfen that Zachorius hurted, making him fall.

Hádanka tries to give the favor back to the ulfen-in-green, but misses the target again.

Meanwhile, Tahltria's steel cuts the ulfen-in-green in two pieces.

End of combat.

Now you have two bleeding men in front of you, as well as the manor's entrance.

Zachorius, could you help me with this? Hands over wand of CLW.

CLW 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Then Hadanka begins to haul the bodies out of view of the gate.

Haha, forgot I'd drawn my sword.

Ahmandé retreives his sword and help move the bodies out of view.

"This shouldn't take long but help me put these men to that side as I stem their bleeding." Grams asks, grabbing one and pulling them away from the doorway.
Heal Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Heal check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 lol

He attempts to stem their bleeding but to no avail.

"I think we can safety assume we're in hostile area now."

After watching Grams, Evarice casts stabilize to stop their bleeding. "These two will be out for a while... at least we can disarm them."

After taking their weapons and checking their gear, Evarice pulls out her longbow. "Let's stay on alert and head inside."

Zachorius helps Hádanka with the wand, as Ahmandé pulls the bodies to out of view of strangers. Grams tries to stabilize them, but fails in his attempt. For the ulfen's luck (?) Evarice uses his divine power to stabilize them, and they stop bleeding.

So, will you enter and leave the bodies outside? Or will carry them with you?

"They're disarmed, unconscious, and out of sight. If they wake up, are we worried they might come from behind and cause more trouble? Should we tie them up at least?"

"They.. should..BE...left..to..bleed." Tahltria watches as the others move the bodies and do their best to keep them alive. She waits at the door with her blade in hand until the others are done.

"I don't think they'll be an issue for now. Let's leave them. I worry that something else maybe afoot.."

We'll take any useful or dangerous gear they may have. Then they won't be much of a threat.
Will rifle through their equipment.

"Leave them for now. Let's go inside."

Zachorius, could you help me with this? Hands over wand of CLW.

Then Hadanka begins to haul the bodies out of view of the gate.

Zach smiles, happily accepting the request and tapping the fellow with his wand. "O' course... there ya go." He nods appreciatively, "Tha's a good one ya 'ave there. Took care of tha wound right quick!"

He does a quick search of the now stable Ulfen men, looking for the key to the gate and/or the manor. Then he locks or otherwise does his best to secure the gate before they proceed on.

"Be on yer guard, now..." He looks and listens at the door before they all head inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Tahltria waits as Zachorius checks at the door. "Shall..we..proceed?"

You disarmed the unconscious ulfens, then left them outside, untied, far from curious eyes.

Zachorious finds nothing at the door and you enter in the manor without troubles.

Once inside the mansion, it was easy to locate Skleg in the master bedroom, on the upper floor.

You open the door to the master bedroom and are greeted by a blast of heat. A roaring fire blazes in the fireplace even though the day is swelteringly hot. A huge bearded man shivers under his blankets, his bed pushed dangerously close to the fire. A thin servant sits in the far corner by a window, fanning himself with a handkerchief. The bearded man looks at you and blinks a few times, then speaks through chattering teeth. “Are y-you P-path-f-finders?”

Ahmandé steps forward and nods his head. "Indeed, we are Pathfinders, and you can only be Skleg." He looks to the fire with no small amount of concern in his eye. "Sir, what afflicts you? You clearly are unnaturally cold, but you sit far too close to that fire to be safe. Here, let me help move you back just a little bit," he looks to the rest of the group, seeking another hand or two to help move the bed, "we can try to find you another blanket or two to make up the difference." He approaches the bed to get ready to move it.

Not wanting to have their conversation interrupted, Tahltria stands at the entrance to Skalg's with her eyes looking down the hallway in both directions and dirgesinger in hand.

"DON'T!", Skelg screams to Ahmandé, then murmurs: "d-d-on't do this".

"I-I'm freezing...", the northern told, “...it is as if the frozen fingers of winter’s blackest midnight clutch at my heart. I’m freezing from the inside out.”

The servant that was sitting in the corner stands up and bows to you. "Thank you for coming, Pathfinders. I'm Tyros, a loyal servant of Skelg. I gave the letter to Adril. My master is too weak, even to speak. What can I do to help you?"

Zach moves in to help. "Dinnae worry now, we are 'ere ta give what aid we can." He detects magic and lays a hand to Skelg's skin to see what temperature he actually is.

He then turns to Tyros. "Thank ya, can ya tell us when yer Master started sufferin' this way?"

Evarice performs a quick check for physical or magical anomalies.

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"...who cursed you like this?"

"Indeed. Tell us everything." looking at the poor man in pity.

When Zachorius touches Skelg, he feels like he is touching an iceberg, so cold was the ulfen's body.

Both Evarice and Zachorius feels a strong presence of magic on Skelg's body magic (conjuration, CL 20), concluding that it maybe a magical curse.

Tyros told to the Pathfinders:

"A week ago, my master caught Bengeirr’s men in his basement vault, mistaking them for common thieves. One of the intruders had lit a lantern he found in the vault. When the light from the lantern struck Skelg, he began to freeze. When the light shone on a tapestry hanging on a wall in the hallway outside of the vault, a shimmering doorway appeared, frightening the intruders enough to flee the manor. The thieves escaped and fled with the lantern and other valuables from inside the vault."

"The tapestry in the hall was a meadow scene with shepherd and flock before the lantern shown on it, now it depicts an Ulfen longship on a rolling sea, mostly encased in an iceberg. After Bengeirr’s raid, Tirfyr, one of may master's man, walked into the portal on the tapestry to investigate. He returned a moment later saying that it led to a ship encased in ice. He went back to investigate further, but after half an hour, the portal disappeared, trapping poor Tirfyr in the frigged landscape."

Skelg interject:

"Y-y-es. The ship in the tapestry is the same ship as the funerary ship of the damned Haldyr. I believe that Tirfyr traveled to the ship and the cure to my curse lies there."

Tyros continues:

"Two days ago, Bengeirr’s men returned with Bengeirr himself and killed my master’s guards. Bengeirr spat on the sickly Skelg, snarling, “Now you’ll die in bed like an old woman.” He left his guards to prevent anyone from saving Skelg and tossed the corpses of Skelg’s men into the vault in the basement."

Skelg interject again:

"I-I couldn't do anything to defend himself, due to my weakned state. I hurriedly wrote a cryptic letter to my friend Adril, hoping his sparing partner would send help immediately. Then I sent timid Tyros smuggle the letter into the city and now you are here."

Ahmandé looks stricken at Skleg's story. "That's awful! Well, we've taken care of the guards outside, so there's that at least."

He begins pacing as he starts to think of what to do next. "We should probably investigate this painting. You say the portal's closed, though? Does it still show the boat scene? We'll need to find a way to open it again. Did this Binge-ear fellow's men take the lantern, or is it still here? That may be all that we need to re-open the portal."

Zachorius nods grimly as he pulls his hand away from the afflicted man's icy skin. "So ya know who tha theif is, then? And do ya know where we'll be findin' 'im ta take this fell lantern back? Why does he bear Skelg such an awful grudge? Can ya tell us what we face ta go after this man?"

He tries to judge whether these folk are holding any information back.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Thieves." Evarice's eyes narrow. "They have no idea what damage they have done... we need to get the lantern back, definitely. Tirfyr is stuck there for who knows how long. And this curse..." She shakes her head. "I suspect we'll find a clue in the painting."

"We'll do everything we can to save your life, sir."

When the party is ready, Evarice starts asking around for Bengeirr's whereabouts.
Gather Information: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Tahltria turns around and inquires to Skelg "The lantern...it was..YOURS..to BEGIN...with. Did...you know..of ITS..power..or..that it..was.a key..for..THE..tapestry?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 18

"We need to find this Bengeirr fellow and quickly."

"So ya know who tha theif is, then? And do ya know where we'll be findin' 'im ta take this fell lantern back? Why does he bear Skelg such an awful grudge? Can ya tell us what we face ta go after this man?"

Skelg answers the cleric: "Five weeks ago I raided the funeral ship of Haldyr Bjornsson,Bjornsson, an Ulfen jarl of Varisia. And well... I looted the ship. Haldyr is his son, and it seems that he wants some kind of avenge for the pillaging of his father’s ship and recover the stolen funeral items."

"About the lantern", Tyros complements to solve the others' doubts, "it was pulled from the funeral ship and Haldyr's men took it with them."

"The lantern...it was..YOURS..to BEGIN...with. Did...you know..of ITS..power..or..that it..was.a key..for..THE..tapestry?"

"For the gods! You are talking worse than me...", Skelg gives a shy smile to the elf. "Unfortunately, I don't have idea what it can do."

"Ah, and before I forget: thank you for dealing with those men outside. May I help you in something else?", Tyros asked the party.

So, Evarice suggested inspect the painting and gather information about Bengeirr. What will you do first? Or will you take another course of action?