GM ShadowLord's Reign of Winter

Game Master The Rising Phoenix

Perception, Letitia: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Perception, Lazlo: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

Lazlo hoots softly at Letitia. She whispers something back to him.

"Shall we see if Samuel has met his Taldane legionnaires? If they were hostile, we'd no doubt hear the report of his weapon," she asks.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Callix nods, "Can't imagine he wouldn't get at least one shot off. Still, one never knows when they might be walking into an ambush, or be surrounded by hidden figures in the woods," she says, laying an emphasis on the last.

"True," she says, nodding. She whispers to Lazlo and he takes off, flying ahead silently and nearly invisibly through the frost-covered trees.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"Mmmm" agreed Llewellyn, "Let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst..."

His hand never strayed far from the pommel of his sword, but for now it remained sheathed as he moved forwards towards where he expected Samuel to be.

the rest of the group quickly spots Samuel, and are allowed to approach without encountering the others in the woods that they spotted.

Samuel is speaking with a centaur dressed in light armor and holding a sword at ease by his side. they are speaking together, but the scout stops and looks up at you as you approach.

Llewellyn did a double take when he realised Mr Samuel was talking to a centaur!

With a roguish grin he called out to Samuel, "Seems the day just got even more interesting! Taldan friends of yours?"

"Oh, well, I guess we are seven if you count the oversized chicken house" Samuel opts out for honesty here talking in Sylvan with the Centaur.

The man smiles when the group makes its appearance in the grove, chuckling at Llewellyn "Seems I made an even more unlikely friend"

Not as immediately trusting as Samuel, Letitia with a thought activates her hyperboreal robe. She lets the others talk, deciding to quietly observe since even though this centaur isn't hostile now, there was no way to know if her presence as a Jadwiga would change things.

Callix shrugs, "To be fair, there are several of them watching our approach from the woods, so I can't imagine they're surprised to see us."

"Aye I don't suppose we're particularly surprising." agreed Llewellyn, "the hut however, now that's not something you see every day!"

Several more centaurs make themselves known from various hiding places where they have been watching you. as Samuel and their companion are talking toether, none of them are making any aggressive actions, though one or two have weapons held loosely at their sides.

all of them are dressed as scouts or rangers with light armor in colors that blend easily in the woods, and an array of weapons.

in Sylvan the centaur speaking with Samuel raises his voice to be heard by the group

Callix watches, then waits to see the reactions of the others, Why do I never prepare comprehend languages? I guess it's so I can keep entertaining the Hero by standing around and looking dim.

"Wonder what they're saying?" mused Llewellyn, "So far they don't seem aggressive, which I'm taking as a good sign! Does anyone other than Mr Samuel speak their language?"

"I do," Letitia says, translating. "They appear impressed that we fought off the giants, which I assume Samuel told them. They are inviting us to trade at their encampment, and they believe their elder or chief male will want to speak with us."

She strides forward at the invitation, and addresses them in Sylvan.

She watches to see how the centaurs react to her words.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Samuel smiles with satisfaction.

The man will hang the musket on his back and walk with bare hands on a proof of trust to the centaurs.

As they join them, he updates the others with the conversation so far "They seem eager to let us meet with their leader whom they call 'Stallion'. This one I was talking with is Huurak, a Rashalka of the Kaag clan. They are tracking giants that were moving through these woods."

If they make it to their tribe, Samuel will try to trade for some food and also make inquiries about Artrosia "We seek the Mother, Maiden and Crone"

Ash listens, not speaking at the moment. Focusing her attention on the moving hut she's taken a liking too, like a child with a new dog, She offhandly mentions, Tongues and comprehend Languages are wonderful spells to learn. Of course I'd rather just learn the language but that takes more time investment than casting a spell

The centaurs' looks darken at the mention of the demon lord.

The scouts join with the party in the clearing and start making their way to the North. they go slow enough that you can walk with them, but it is clear they are not used ot going at such slow speeds. sometimes they have to circle back to you, or set a pace that is just fast enough to be uncomfortable.

Ahead in the distance, a thin plume of smoke drifts above the trees. Soon enough, a large clearing containing a sizable encampment appears through the trees. Broad, circular tent- huts made from hides stretched over wooden frames form a crescent around a large campfire. The muddy ground is churned with numerous hoofprints.

Throughout the camp, centaurs mill about, performing mundane tasks such as carrying firewood, filling water buckets, or roasting spitted pheasants over a pit of glowing coals.

Once the party enters the camp, these activities stop as the centaurs shift their attention to the outsiders. Your arrival makes several centaur children stop and gawk.

You are brought through the camp to what must be the Stallion's tent. This tent is much larger and of finer construction than the others, and stands in the middle of the crescent of tents, facing the communal fire. the scouts you came with stand to the side, allowing you to move forward into the tent.

Letitia nods when the scout says that they need to discuss the matter with their leader. She walks with purpose at a striding pace but doesn't hurry for the sake of the centaurs.

When they enter the camp, she walks calmly through it towards the largest tent like it was hers.

Not being able to understand the Sylvan tongue the centaurs spoke was frustrating for Llewellyn tempered by the feeling of wonder. Centaurs! The stuff of fairytales, he'd never thought to actually see one let alone a whole tribe. To have an audience with their leader was beyond all expectation, he'd have to work this into his play somehow...

Still he couldn't help noticing how large even the young where. Softly he said to the others, "So far they've proven friendly enough. Let's hope their leader is a reasonable sort."

Samuel salivates as they got in the camp "How long since we had a proper meal? Are those pheasants?"

When it comes to engaging the tent, Samuel makes sure his musket is hanging from his shoulder and not in his hands. Speaking in Sylvan he adds to Huurak "Thanks for guiding us. We probably would like to go there in one moment or another, but let's speak first with the Stallion"

Samuel enters the tent, making a sign of greeting with the head to the centaur leader.

The group enters the tent and see the leader of the centaurs

He is a is a powerful centaur with broad shoulders, a full beard and long mustaches, and a dark bay coat. He is reclining on a pile of blankets when you enter, and he motions you forward.

Having spoken to his scout briefly before you arrived, he knows that ou spoke in Sylvan, and addresses you in that language now

"This is Korak Kaag," Letitia briefly translates to the others. She then introduces each of her companions.

Llewellyn gave a courtly bow as the Jadwiga addressed the Stallion. He marvelled at the creature, and had to remember not to stare. When the conversation started he found himself incredibly frustrated with his inability to comprehend it. Clearly he would have to expand his repertoire of known languages.

Amusingly enough Half Orc really crimps your style when it comes to starting languages known.

Samuel also offers a respectful greeting and let's Letitia lead the conversation. Meanwhile he updates the others about what is being told "The Stallion's name is Korak Kaag. It seems we are in a place called Dvezda Marches and he wants to know why are we here. Letitia is giving him our names and trying to calm him down while she explains we want to enter Artrosia"

Despite the centaurs seem honest allies, the Taldan keeps an observant watch on all the details around the tent and the reactions of everyone involved, paying special attention to deceive and dangers.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Ashling nods, she's wary and standing near Letitia, somewhat aware of her social...Eccentricities she keeps her mouth shut. Despite understanding the language being spoken for once. However she maintains caution, watching the surroundings for aggression or danger.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Callix stands, waiting, nodding when it seems to be most appropriate, With a camp this size, and the cookfire... Surely they must have a cask of spirits to share with their new friends...

Llewellyn nodded to Mr Samuel, although this news worried him. Quietly he replied, "Right. I sure hope he doesn't have a problem with us entering Artrosia, I get the impression she would react poorly if he tried to place some conditions..."

The centaur chief speaks with Letitia, allowing her enough time to translate to the others. he does not seem bothered by the delay in communication.

While the chief speaks he motions to one of the other centaurs who is standing to the side. they call another centaur and soon some fresh water and a variety of fruits are brought in and given to the rest of the party while the discussion continues between Letitia and the centaur.

Letitia translates. "These centaurs know of the legendary Dancing Hut and Baba Yaga. They rightly know to fear Grandmother, and once foolishly thought they could oppose her and the witches.

"The giants are their enemy, and they are concerned about this threat of Kostchtchie. The giants have gotten more aggressive, and these centaurs are concerned about the giants getting more power from the demon lord."

She nods in satisfaction. "They will not oppose us entering Artrosia."

She speaks more to the centaur chief.

She grows quiet for a moment. She briefly meets the eyes of her traveling companions, then turns back to the Stallion.

When the Jadwiga announced that the centaurs would not oppose their entry Llewellyn released a breath he didn't know he had been holding, "That is good news. The scout told Mr Samuel that they'd show us the way, and now we have their leader's blessing, I guess we should get going?"

When fruit and water was offered he gladly accepted, surprised by how hungry he was.

"Yes, let's head into Artrosia then" Samuel taps his belly while winking an eye to Llewellyn "But first let's get these bellies full..."

The High Sentinel will eat well and good on whatever the centaurs hospitality has to offer, and will likely trade some gems or other assets the group has as a sign of good will.

The centaur looks at Letitia with a thoughtful look, almost confused.

When he is finished speaking the party is guided outside of the tent and the Stallion meets with some of his people. a few minutes later you are brought to a campfire where food is offered to each of you. an extra tent is quickly raised at the edge of the clearing. it is a bit large for the group as it is sized for centaurs to comfortably enter and sleep in, but will do a good job of keeping any elements off of you for the night.

what do you do in the camp during the afternoon/evening?

Callix does her best to show her appreciation non-verbally, then suggests, "Since we're staying the night, perhaps we can offer something in return. I could certainly help with any healing they might need... Or, for that matter, fill some casks with ale for a celebration."

Llewellyn found himself relaxing when it became apparent they were welcome to stay the evening. He was keen to hear the Centaur's stories but somebody would have to translate which was frustrating but unavoidable. Still he was in a good mood and was in mind to play his flute. To his fellow travellers he remarked, "It is said that music transcends language, let's see if that is true!"

Reverently he unpacked his flute and wiped it with a clean cloth, not that it needed cleaning, rather his moves had a ritual quality. Satisfied he started playing softly and slowly at first, melody as changeable as the wind. He hoped to be noticed by the Centaurs and if any of them showed interest he started showing off.

Slowly inexorably he gathered speed and the melody solidified into a joyous jig and his fingers where flying and he was playing counterpoints to his own refrains. This was technically challenging and he made a few little mistakes but Llewellyn didn't care, in the end he was playing for the joy of it.
Perform (wind): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Later on when Callix's wine had been shared he tried to encourage folk to dance, especially Ashling who he suspected to be more than a little graceful.

Letitia doesn't respond to the centaur chieftain, simply giving him the briefest of nods of agreement. She suddenly couldn't help but think back on her training and lessons with her mother and sisters, and then wonder how they would respond to her dealing with this tribe. Was she safer with them because they had a tentative alliance? Wouldn't fear have been better, like her mother had always instructed?

During the evening's meal with the centaurs, she would have preferred to brood alone. However, since the others relied upon her to translate, she readily accepted that task though she didn't strike up any conversations of her own. She ate, drank, and sat away from the fire where she would stare off into the night.

Samuel smiles back at Callix "I would certainly prefer your wine casks offering... but will suggest them about the healing"

The Taldan explains the stallion his Ulfen friend is a healer warrior of the northern lands and would be happy to heal any centaur in exchange for their hospitality.

Samuel dances and enjoys Llewellyn's music and Callix's wine, and when things get a bit calmer, he makes his best attempts to explain to the centaurs the overall story of the party. How Taldan got under the snow. How they rescued Callix from a necromancer in the woods and she became a major member of the group. How Ashling decided to come defend Taldor with them. How they jumped through the witches portal (although he omits the details about the Rider). How they made into the Pale Tower and destroyed the snow portal. Their trip to Whitethrone and Alec's heroic sacrifice. And how activating the hut and solving the witches' riddles, they ended here. He omits most of the details and keeps secret information secret, but he tries to enhance their fight against Elvanna the northern witch.
Perform (oratory): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Next day, after waking up, Samuel will work on crafting to replace the bullets lost on previous days fights.
6 bullets, 9 cartridges = 60.6 gp

Before leaving, he will also try to trade with the centaurs, offering to sell the items the group is carrying, and checking if they might have any magical equipment to buy.

During Samuel's story, Letitia pays close attention and occasionally interrupts or clears her throat pointedly to prevent him from offering too many details. It bothered her greatly that he was telling a tale of how the Winter Witches could be opposed and even beaten.

When he reaches the part about the Pale Tower, she interrupts and takes him aside. In Taldane, she asks him, "Would you not mention that Radosek was aligned with Irrisen? We don't divulge Irriseni politics to outsiders. You're of the Jadwiga too, Samuel."

Samuel is not completely surprised when Letitia calls him out, she has been giving him that stare every now and then since he started to retell their story. The confidence on each other has grown since when he would call her just 'witch', thus he smiles softly understanding the woman's worries "We are thousands of miles away from Irrisen, the likelihood the centaurs can pose any threat to the Jadwiga is low. We are just enjoying our time together and trying to seal the alliance you smartly won us over" the Taldan takes Letitia's hand and soothes her with a stroke "No worries Letitia, I would not tell about Radosek's loyalties or any similar references"

"Of course they don't pose a threat," Letitia says with a roll of her eyes. "But stories travel. They can grow. The story you tell now could get retold and embellished over the years and the thousands of miles it takes to reach Irrisen's borders. And who knows what sort of ideas it will put in the heads of those beyond our walls of ice?"

Tired after playing for several hours, Llewellyn lounged around by the fire. He would have found the story Samuel waved fascinating, if only he understood what was being said. Still he noted with frustrated interest when the Jadwiga admonished Samuel in a different language, clearly something had be said that she didn't appreciate. He really was going to have to do something about this language situation...

Taldane is the name of Golarion's Common, Llewellyn.

Ashling continues to merely observe, merely speaking quietly out loud, does it matter, after everything thats been done already and what is to come. The world will not be the same one we left.

During the bartering session, Letitia sells her wand of color spray for the components to make a potion of remove blindness/deafness. She then spends the rest of the evening brewing the potion.

23 charges = 46% full, so that's 345 gp. Brewing the 3rd level potion costs 375 gp. Spends 30 gp to make up the difference.

The centaurs are quick to invite you in once you are finished talking with their leader.

The group clearly enjoys Llewellyn's excellent music, and a few tentatively join in. they are not as refined or trained in their instruments, but when they feel no judgement from the bard they grow in confidence and start playing some of their own tribal songs, the music combining in interesting ways with the flute.

They bring out an assortment of their own instruments, with several different types of drums, a long flute and a pan pipe.

They share their food with you, and graciously accept Callix's conjured booze. some of them eye it suspiciously, but those that partake declare it is some of the best they have ever tasted which coaxes more into trying it.

The tribe is very welcoming even over the language barrier. not very many of them even speak Sylvan. Most speak Iobaran with a few that speak either giant, elven or sylvan. food and music goes beyond language, however, and everyone has a good time.

They listen to the strange story of how your group came to this land, but it is pretty clear that they think much of it is made up. it sounds just a little too crazy to be true. you realize through conversation that this tribe has a distrust of most magic, so it is probably more comfortable for them to think of your adventure as a tall tale than to think their new allies are dabbling with incredibly powerful magic.

in the morning several centaurs come to you with items available for trading and are interested to see what you have. luckily even this far away from the lands you know gold is a viable currency.

they have plenty of mundane supplies/weapons/etc, plus the following magical items:

Driftwood icon [25gp]
Arrow Magnet [600gp]
Sun-Dried Lantern Lemons [900gp]
Mithral Heavy Shield [1020gp]
Hushing Arrow (greater) [1047gp]
Mithral Shirt [1100gp]
Grasping Bolas [3805gp]

if there are other items you are looking for, let me know in discussion and i will roll to see if they have it. Their selection will be pretty limited though.

Once business is concluded, a young female centaur approaches you. She speaks to you in halting common, or can converse more comfortably in Sylvan, giant or Iobaran.

"hello. my name is Erdija. I am to be your guide to the Watchers. are you prepared to leave now? It will take the better part of a day to get there.

Ha! Hadn't realised common was called Taldane, well I suppose Taldor did conquer just about everywhere at some point in the past 4k years

Llewellyn was glad to be able to converse with their centaur guide even if it was in giant which to his mind lacked the elegance of draconic without having the benefits of orcish for truly creative cursing.

[spoiler=Giant]"Oh! You know the language of giants? Splendid! Well I'm ready, I'll check if the others are too."

"Shall we go then, or is there any last minute business?" asked Llewellyn.

Please all, give a look at our treasure sheet and take anything you like (column G "Who took" rules what is still available), we will try to trade/sell everything else to the centaurs. Anything marked as Sold 3 is still with us as we had no chance to really sell it, so feel free to claim it back from the purse!

"Nice to meet you Erdija. My name is Samuel. Samuel Soulkeeper." Samuel tells the guide in Sylvan "Now that our trade is made, I think we are good to go see those Watchers"

I'd love to trade for their mithral shirt - but I don't see anything on the list that Callix would claim.

Callix, we have 10 freshwater pearls worth 400 gp each. Three of those pearls will get you the mithral shirt and 100 gp in change! I say go ahead and get it!

Yeah go for the mithral shirt, more defense is never a bad thing