Reign of Winter AP (Inactive)

Game Master ianbl

Cervin jogs up to the edge of the water, waiting until everyone else has crossed before he follows.

The dwarf chuckles.

"I'm not sure you want my compact weight walking across that ice first. I'll wait til others have gone, thank you."

Once assured the ice is safe, Arkady takes his place in the marching order to cross.

Rolling her eyes theatrically, Aishe steps up to the edge of the ice-covered stream. "Good grief boys. Since no-one else wants to go after Yagello, allow me..."

Waiting for Yagello to advance to about halfway before doing so, to avoid putting too much strain on the ice, she steps carefully out onto the surface. Moving slowly and choosing her footing, Aishe proceeds across the frozen waterway until she reaches the far bank.

Growler pads up to the bank of the frozen steam and watches her mistress step out onto the ice. Reluctantly and with some hesitation, the wolf likewise starts across the frozen creek, choosing a crossing point somewhat upstream - but within easy reach - of where the two-legs are making their crossing.

Growler will follow Aishe across, but does so 10-15' upstream of the rest of the party. Is an animal handling roll of some kind necessary here?

My apologies for the delay. Busy weekend.

As Yagello steps further out onto the ice, a small area of the ice collapses under his weight.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Yagello plunges through the ice, into the icy waters below. Yagello immediately begins shivering as the shock from the cold overwhelms him.

Non-lethal cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Swim check to stay afloat: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Yagello manages to keep afloat despite the chill of the water. Arkady somehow senses that something is alerted to the commotion of Yagello trashing in the water.

The water is giving Yagello hypothermia. This is treated as fatigued (-2 to Str and Dex, cannot run or charge) and is only cured if Yagello is changed into fresh clothes, get warm, and the non-lethal damage is removed. It is a DC 30 Climb check (and a move action) for Yagello to attempt to climb out of the hole unassisted with no rope or other special equipment. If he does not get out, it is a DC 10 swim check to stay afloat.

I have put up a map of the current layout here. There is no obvious immediate threat. All of the party can act for round 1. There is no surprise round.

Aishe was about to step out onto the ice just as the frozen stream ahead cracks and collapses under Yagello.

Shocked into immobility for an instant, she realizes that the ranger will need help getting out of the hole, but that putting any more weight on the ice would be foolish. Stepping back onto the bank, Aishe squats and braces herself, reversing her spear and taking a firm grip on it with both hands just below the spearhead.

"Yagello, grab onto the haft." she calls out, then extends the length of the spear haft out to the edge of the hole, hoping that it will reach far enough for the freezing ranger to grab ahold of.

In effect Aishe is staying where she is, making sure that she has at least one foot on dry(ish) land, and using the spear haft as a branch so that Yagello has something to grab onto. Hoepfully the water isn't actually all that deep here, given that the trail continues across the stream from both banks, which would suggest a shallower ford. Either that or this whole thing was another fey trap.

As Yagello drops into the river, Arkady shivers with "the feeling".

"Friends, I think we have more than just thin ice here, be wary!"

Not being strong enough to be of much help to Yagello, he touches Daegan on the shoulder.

Free action to speak, standard to give Diviner's Fortune to Daegan (+1 to attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round).

Having kept himself near the ice, Cervin steps five feet closer to Aishe.

"Aishe! Lie down flat and you can stretch the spear out farther without putting yourself in danger."

Cervin knocks an arrow and holds his action, waiting to see if Aishe needs help or something jumps out at them.

Hah. I reread the description of the ice and how you can see the water flowing beneath it. That is not ice any sane person would walk over. But hey, the PCs are in wine country. I doubt anyone has ever seen ice there.

Putting Cervin's suggestion into action, Aishe drops prone, laying on the bank of the stream and reaching out with the spear haft towards Yagello. She is gripping the spear with both hands behind the spear head, despite the risk of cutting herself on the sharp edges.

Aishe has a strength of 12 - not great, but not a weakling either. I assigned her attribute points with the intention of multiclassing with ranger later. In any case it might give her just enough strength to hold tightly enough to the spear to permit Yagello to grab and use it as an anchor point to pull himself out of the water.

Hearing the 'crack!' as the ice gives way under the big male two-leg walking ahead of her mistress, the startled Growler bolts for the far side of the stream and safety...

Acrobatics to scrabble quickly across the ice without slipping: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Growler does have claws, so maybe she gets an equal benefit to the above roll as though she were wearing cleats? What say you Mister GM?

Daegan gives a nod to Arkady, a silent thank you, and then kneels by Aishe. "I feel woefully under prepared for this, but I can at least help you keep your hold on the spear." And to the group at large, "Does no one have any rope?"

It seems all I can do is Aid Another. Damn.

With something like a spear to grab onto, Yagello's climb check DC drops to 15. I'm going to assume Yagello is doing most of the work, so Aishe doesn't need to make a Stength check unless he fails by 5 or more.

The water is only six feet deep, so if Yagello fails his climb check and his subsequent swim check, he can still reach for Aishe's spear, and can come back to the service with a single successful swim check (or a really big jump).

I'll allow Growler to have the equivalent of Cleats. This means the ice is treated as 1.5 squares of movement, compared with 2 squares for everyone else. You don't need to make an acrobatics check to scamper across the ice, unless you're jumping or evading an enemy.

Igmar quickly grabs the backpack off his back and takes out a length of rope. Tossing it toward Yagello, he speaks quickly and without his normal lightheartedness.

"Use this if it'll help Yagello. I can hold your weight."

Igmar's rope doesn't change the base DC (15), but it means just about everyone can use Aid Another to give a +2 to Yagello's Climb check if they are holding the rope.

Igmar locks himself into place on the side of the water, steadying the rope.

Climb Aid Another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

That's one +2!

Cervin looks throw the heavily falling snow and mutters something profoundly un-religious under his breath. He drops his bow and grabs the rope.

"I'm glad somebody was wise enough to bring rope. I feel unprepared. YAGELLO! GRAB SOMETHING!"

Climb Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Two! Two +2s! Ah ah ah!

Climb, Aid another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

So, that's a +6 for Yagello's climb check now - however that's also three of us unarmed and flat-footed if something attacks. Do any of us believe that we are not going to be attacked in a second?

Arkady keeps watch as the group works to assist Yagello. "I have a bad feeling about this..."

If the round comes back to him, Arkady readies an action to give Diviner's Fortune to anyone in reach who looks like they need it.

Yagello flounders for a moment in the icy water, the coldness seeping deep into his veins. In his confusion, he paws fruitlessly at the jagged edges off the cracked ice unable to get enough traction to lift himself up. Suddenly, he sees a rope fall at his hands, and he grasps it as if it were the most precious treasure in the whole world.

Thanks guys for all the assists, hopefully it'll be enough to get me out of here!

Climb: 1d20 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 6 = 13

Darn this dice roller!

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Oh boy, now I'm in trouble...

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Yagello, I read this as one move action to try and climb the rope, and one move action to stay afloat (both failing). I'll bank the second swim check for the next round for you to bob back up.

Yagello grabs onto the rope momentarily, but his hands begin shaking from the cold and he slips completely under water. He feels the bottom of the river bed and kicks off, emerging back above the water once more. His lungs gulp for more ice cold air.

From either direction, the frozen river appears to come to life. A small mass of ice washes down the river from either direction towards the party, like a frozen wave moving towards the group. As they get closer, a face forms at the crest of the wave, and a gurgling scream echoes among the frozen trees. The frozen wave of ice crashes on the surface less than thirty feet away from Yagello and the faces disappear along with the disturbance.

Daegan gets a look at the faces before they crash, and realizes they must be some form of conjured creatures made of pure ice. He cannot place where he heard the stories of these creatures, but he realizes they are capable of swimming and can pass through the frozen surface of the river as if it is not there. They would no doubt be able to walk on the ice as well as any normal surface.

Map has been updated. The creatures' last known positions are noted on the map, but are no longer visible. Everyone has their full round 2 actions, except for Yagello, who uses one move action to get back above water. In case it matters, Aid Another is a standard action.

"Oh no no no n--WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE THINGS?!"

Cervin's babbling turns into a shout as the ice creatures rise up from the surface of the water. He looks quickly between Yagello and the ice creatures, picking up his bow before he makes his choice.

"Daegan, Arkady you're gonna have to keep those off of our backs so we can get Yagello out!"

Climb Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Cervin slings his bow over his shoulder and digs his feet in to pull on the rope.

Move action to pick up his bow, standard action to aid another.

"Daegan, Arkady you're gonna have to keep those off of our backs so we can get Yagello out!"

Well, no pressure there ...

Arkady turns as Cervin calls out. Shaking his head at the amazing run of luck the group has had, he prepares himself for combat. As he passes his hand across his body from head to toe, he briefly glows as magical armor forms around him, then fades from view. He then steps up next to Daegan and holds his quarterstaff ready.

Standard action cast Mage Armor, then move action to go to J4.

"We'll do the best we can, though it is difficult to keep at bay an enemy we can no longer see." Daegan begins to mutter slightly after this, offering prayers to Gorum in a low voice, while gesturing with quick and decisive motions of his hands, a holy symbol clutched in one. Afterwards, he draws his dagger.

Standard: casting Divine Favor.
Move: drawing cold-iron dagger.

"Blood and blisters, it is another ambush..." swears Aishe, using one of her father's favorite epithets. Nevertheless she remains where she is, laying flat on the bank of the stream, with the end of her spear held over the edge of the ice where Yagello flails in the water. She does briefly release her grip with one hand to cast mage armor on herself, but immediately turns her concentration back to trying to help the ranger out of the hole he's in.

Concentration check to successfully cast mage armor, in case it's needed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Aid another, climb check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

EDIT - I just realized that she probably can't do both those actions this round. Each requires a standard action. So cancel the mage armor until next round - getting Yagello out of the ice is first priority.

I'm not sure if Igmar will be aiding me this round as well or not. Either way, GM please modify my roll accordingly.

Cursing his misfortune under his breath, Yagello spits out icy water and reaches out desperately for the rope once again.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 4 = 13

Looks like it all depends on Igmar's Aid Another roll!

Igmar tries to steady the rope once more.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

With Igmar, Aishe and Cervin pulling on the rope, Yagello holds on and is dragged out of the icy waters. Drenched with icy water, he is obviously shivering from the cold.

Two large hands formed of ice emerge from the river surface next to Cervin and Daegan. Each one is nearly the size of Igmar, and they try to grab at Cervin and Daegan, pulling them towards the hole in the ice.

Each creature is attempting a reposition combat maneuvers. The one trying to grab Cervin would normally provoke an attack of opportunity from both Cervin and Yagello, but Yagello is prone and not currently wielding his weapon, while Cervin had slung his bow and had to use both hands to haul Yagello. The one trying to grab Daegan will provoke from Arkady and Daegan.

Arkady's AoO: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Daegan's AoO: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
Daegan's damage (Dagger): 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Reposition attempt against Daegan (CMD 14): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Reposition attempt against Cervin (CMD 16): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Daegan manages to hack a piece of ice away from the hand, and he pushes back as he feel the force knocking him towards the same hole that Yagello just fell through. He manages to push back just at the edge, and sees Cervin doing the same behind him.

The creature next to Daegan took some damage. Daegan was repositioned five feet to H4, and Cervin was repositioned five feet to F3. The map has been updated, and everyone can now take their round 3 actions. The "hands" are now on the ice and can be attacked. Yagello is prone and still suffering the affects of the hypothermia (as fatigued). It is still snowing (-4 to ranged attacks) and the ground surfaces are difficult terrain for most.

Cervin's eyes go as he is sent sliding towards the hole in the ice.

"Oh no you don't!"

Cervin lunges past the creature, the slippery ice exposing him to attack. Getting into position he unhooks his axe from his belt and swings it down hard.

Two handed battle axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Eating an attack of opportunity to move to G1.

Igmar drops the rope, and, pulling the cold iron pick from his belt, begins singing the battle hymn his companions have now become familiar with.

Free action: Drop rope
Move action: Draw cold iron heavy pick
Standard action: Begin Bardic Performance to Inspire Courage. +1 to all attack and damage rolls, and +1 on saves again fear and charm effects.

Aishe seizes Yagello by his wet collar and drags him to the bank while the others react to the elementals' attacks. Unable to spare more time right now for the half-frozen ranger in the middle of a fight, she then gets back onto her feet to see what she can do to aid the others in repelling the assault. She mutters under her breath and flicks an orb of conjured acid at one of the things.

That's a long winded way of saying that once Yagello is out of the water, Aishe spends a move action to stand up, then a standard action to cast acid splash at the elemental in F2.

Ranged touch attack, acid splash, into melee: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 11
Damage, acid splash, +1 focus: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Daegan, disregarding the possibility of an assault by the hand, moves back to his previous position. He slices once again at the hand, empowered by both Igmar's hymn and his prayer. And... misses, unfortunately.

1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 6
1d4 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 7

Move to I4.
Standard: Attack and miss.

As Daegan recovers his footing and moves back, Arkady realizes his own footing is dangerous. If I try to move back to cast a spell, I'll have to watch my step and it will hit me for sure. Swing it is, then!

Planting both feet, he swings his quarterstaff with all his might...

Attack with quarterstaff with Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

... and misses wildly.

Oh dear ...

Shivering wildly, Yagello is a bit stunned by this bizarre turn of events. First, he plummeted feet first through the thin ice and almost froze to death in the frigid waters. Now, he and his comrades are under attack by giant icy hands! It's almost too much for a simple ranger like himself to comprehend!

Nonetheless, he shakes the cobwebs out of his mind and forces himself up, drawing his elven curve blade as he rises. My friends saved my miserable little life, I better repay them by being strong in this battle!

Move Action:Stand up from prone position and draw elven curve blade - realizing this might elicit an attack of opportunity
Standard Action: Attack elemental at F-2

Attack (elven curve blade): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24
If successful, Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

Critical hit confirmation: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11
If successful, Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Note: I have included the -2 penalties to Strength and Dexterity in my rolls...

The icy surfaces make footing difficult, and the hands made of ice continue to move, making it difficult to hit them. Somehow detecting their targets attempt to move away from the hole in the ice, the hands reach out to try and hit Daegan and Cervin as they scramble back to the snowy banks.

The two creatures both use their AoOs on Daegan and Cervin

Slam attack, Cervin: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Physical damage to Cervin: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cold damage to Cervin: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Cervin's Fortitude Save (DC12): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Slam attack, Daegan: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Physical damage to Daegan: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cold damage to Daegan: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Daegan's Fortitude Save (DC12): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Cervin takes 5 damage total. Daegan takes 5 damage and is staggered for one round.

Yagello's blade cleaves off a chunk of one hand, and the thing turns its attention towards him.

Hand at F2 takes a five foot step to F3, attempts a reposition against Yagello. This will provoke an attack of opportunity from Yagello.

Attack (elven curve blade) AoO: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
If successful, Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9
Reposition attempt against Yagello (CMD 16): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Yagello swings again at the clutching fingers but times his swing to early, just coming short. He grasps the hand, holding on and pressing back with all his might, and manages to stop just short of the hole in the ice he just climbed out of.

Meanwhile, the other hand tries to grab and pull Daegan. Daegan tries again to hack at the hand as it reaches towards him.

Hand at I5 takes a five foot step to H5, attempts a reposition against Daegan. This will provoke an attack of opportunity from Daegan.

Attack (cold iron dagger) AoO: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 15
If successful, Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 7
Reposition attempt against Daegan (CMD 14): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Daegan thrusts with his dagger, and the hand moves to one side to avoid. With much less momentum now, Daegan easily holds his ground against the remainder of the hand.

The hand attacking Cervin and Yagello has taken 8 damage so far, and the hand attacking Daegan has taken 4. The map has been updated, and everyone may now take their round 4 actions.

As the hand moves to get position on Daegan, it thankfully gives Arkady a little room.

"Let's see if we can't give you the snowman treatment, eh?"

Arkady moves around the half-orc, then flicks his fingers at the hand ...

Ranged touch attack (inspire courage): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

... and the blob of acid misses as the hand grabs at Daegan.

Move action: Move to I3. Standard action: cast acid splash. Free action: Curse in Varisian. I'm seriously beginning to doubt the code behind the dice roller here. *grump*

Cervin is almost sent sprawling by the force of the massive hand, but he manages to regain his footing, shivering and blue in the face.

"So cold... concentrate. Can't use my bow, too much snow. I hate this place I hate this place I hate this place..."

Glaring at the hand, Cervin pauses for just a moment, concentrating on the thrilling sound of Igmar's song.

"Erastil, father, protector. Guide my blade, protect my companions, and please... bring us warmth. DIE YOU... THING!!!"

Cervin lets out a war cry moves in to hacks as hard as he can at the hand!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Move action to get to F2, standard action to choppy choppy.

As Igmar continues to sing his battle hymn, he steps forward and reaches toward Cervin, weaving arcane words into his song.

Free action: Continue Inspire Courage
Move Action: Step up to G2 without moving onto the ice (if possible)
Standard Action: Cast Cure Light Wounds on Cervin

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Daegan grunts at the hit, his eyes going wide at the surprisingly searing cold coursing through him. He manages to take another swing at the hand. His small blade manages to hit this time, and he slices as deep as he can into the hand.

1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 23
1d4 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 6

Standard: Attack, and a hit this time! Glad my one action didn't go to waste.

While she had been pacing back and forth on the far bank of the stream as her mistress helped the two-legs male out of the ice, Growler is just as surprised by the ice elementals as everyone else. At first she makes no move to attack the unnatural things as they scare her, but as soon as she realizes that Aishe may be in danger Growler gives a snarl of frustration and launches herself across the ice at the nearest creature...

Move to E3 and attack the ice elemental. You've said previously that Growler didn't have to roll acrobatics and could treat each square of ice as 1.5 squares rather than 2. Hopefully that still applies.

Bite attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16; +1 for Igmar's bardic song, +2 for flanking with Yagello
Bite damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3; +1 for Igmar's bardic song

Seeing the half-orc cleric shudder with the cold as the icy hand hits him, Aishe steps forward despite the risk of thin ice near the hole, trying to thrust her spear into the elemental. Hells, I wish I'd learned a fire spell instead of color spray now...

Step forward to H4 and attack.

Spear attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 15; +1 for Igmar's bardic song
Spear damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9; +1 for Igmar's bardic song

Seeing the creature buffeted by both his and Cervin's blows, Yagello carefully plans his next hit. He hears Cervin's forceful battle cry and thinks grimly, I wouldn't mind uttering some witty repartee of my own if my teeth were chattering so badly...

Standard Action: Attack elemental at F-2 - flanking with Growler

Attack (elven curve blade): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 15
If successful, Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 1 = 11

To one side, Aishe and Arkady miss the icy hand, but Daegan slices a chunk of ice, which shatters on the surface of the river.

Meanwhile, Yagello takes a swing at the other hand, but his shaking from the cold makes it difficult to time his swing effectively. While the hand moves out of Yagello's reach, Cervin takes a large swing down through the middle of the hand, and the entire thing shatters into thousands of small chunks of ice.

Growler runs across the ice to assist, but just as she gets close to the shattered hand, the ice breaks beneath her feat.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Non-lethal cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Swim check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Growler falls into the hole, and begins frantically scrambling at the ice to try and get out.

Growler takes 2 cold damage and is fatigued like Yagello. She stays afloat for this round.

The remaining hand, sensing Aishe come close to the whole, moves a bit back away from Daegan, and reaches out to try and grab Aishe.

The hand at H5 takes a five foot step to G5, and tries a reposition attempt against Aishe. This provokes an AoO from Aishe.

Spear attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
Reposition attempt against Aishe (CMD 13): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Aishe deflects the hand with her spear and leans back just a bit so the hand grasps just short.

There is only one hand remaining which has taken 10 damage. Growler is currently in the water, in a new hole at E3. The map has been updated, and everyone can now take their round 5 actions.

Aishe hears Growler's yelp of surprise as the ice gives way underneath the she-wolf, but with the surviving elemental directly in front of her, there's little the sorceress can do to help her companion immediately. Instead she thrusts the spear at the thing again, then steps back to the bank to make room for one of the warriors to step in.

Standard action to attack with her spear before stepping back 5' to H3.

Spear attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Spear damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Soaked and half-frozen by the sudden plunge through the ice, Growler desperately tries to climb out, but without assistance the she-wolf isn't going anywhere...

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Cervin slams his axe straight through to the ice below as the hand explodes before him. He lets out a triumphant cry.

"HAH! Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Even though you have no lips..."

His back suddenly arches as Igmar's healing magic surges through him, and he gives the dwarf a quick smile, only to turn and see Growler crash through the ice right in front of him.

"Uhh... uhhh" stammers Cervin as he looks between the wolf and the creature. Seeing the hand almost fractured, he curses to himself and throws his axe to pull out his bow and fire an arrow.

Bow - environment + PBS + inspire: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 20 Arrow + PBS + inspire: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9

Free action, drop axe. Move action, draw bow. Standard action, shoot in face.

Igmar stops his song, but the sound still bounds around the battlefield. He moves by Aishe on his way toward the enemy, raising his pick above his head before bringing it down once the hand is in reach.

Free Action: Stop Inspire Courage (effects last for this round and one more)
Move Action: Move to H4
Standard Action: Attack hand creature

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Crit chance: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Crit damage: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3, 5) + 9 = 19

It's going to be a looooong time before I do that much damage again. Wow.

Aishe hacks off another slice of the icy hand before stepping back. Cervin's arrow combined with Igmar's pick take down the remaining stump of ice, and it too shatters into pieces.

Swim check for Growlwer: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Growler manages to barely stay afloat in the icy water, her hot panting breath creating brief clouds of steam in the icy air.

Both hands are now smashed to pieces. Growler is still swimming to say afloat. Yagello and Daegan can still take their round 5 actions, and with no immediate threat, everyone can take their round 6 actions as well. The map has been updated.

Free action

Slightly panicked at seeing Growler thrashing in the icy water, Aishe yells to Yagello and Cervin. "Help her out of the hole! Please don't let her drown..."

Round 6 actions

Despite the risk of falling through the ice herself, Aishe drops her spear then runs behind Cervin, throwing herself prone next to the hole. She reaches out with both hands and tries to grab the flailing wolf, hoping that Growler won't accidentally bite her in her own frantic state.

Drop weapon, move to E2, fall prone and aid another.

Climb, aid another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Cervin throws his axe to the bank behind him and falls prone, reaching both hands into the water beside Aishe. With hands shaking from cold, he pulls off his cloak and drapes it over the edge of the ice in an attempt to give Growler some purchase on the slippery ice. He then lays on his cloak and tries to pull Growler out with Aishe.

"We've got you girl!"

Climb, aid another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16