Reign of Winter AP (Inactive)

Game Master ianbl

Domain: Travel
Feat: Weapon Finesse
Traits: Warded against Witchery, Well-Informed

Spells Known:
Level 0: Brand, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Sift
Level 1: Bane, Expeditious Retreat

Renna knew all about secrets. They were the armor that had warded her village from Chelaxian slavers, until the day someone else's secret sold them out. Renna escaped through chance alone -- she was picking the most delicious berries, and had followed the trail of bushes until she was far outside the village. She returned from her feast to see everyone she knew led off in chains. It was only later that she realized the season was much too early for those berries to grow.

Renna burned with anger, but she never gave into loneliness or despair. For one thing, she was not alone. There were sprites in the woods, and pixies, and they befriended her in their way, with inappropriate pranks and unlooked for aid. And the woods themselves spoke to her, in the patterns of vines and cobwebs, of riverrocks and falling leaves.

It was in the sprouting of tulip blooms where Renna first saw the name 'Ng' spelled out. "He is the Master of Seasons, and of Secrets," a sprite told her. "Powerful and dangerous -- one of the Eldest. It is best not to talk of him." The pixies would not say even that much. Renna pledged her loyalty to him that day, even as she knew they were already bound.

From then on, Renna took her orders from the wind and the twinkling stars. At spring's first bloom, a flurry of autumn leaves spelled out 'Heldren' and 'Taldor' before being scattered by the breeze, and so she made haste there, for what purpose she does not know.

Kalt has never connected easily with his fellow man. He is kind enough, and interested in the people around him, but he is a poor communicator of this interest, often seeming cold and distant by virtue of his appearance and awkwardness. At times, this bothers him, and he struggles against it to make friends. At other times, when he seeks the solace of wild places, or the solitude of a frosty winter night, he feels that he needs no one else. He is generally able to maintain his good cheer well enough by keeping a balance between these two moods, though it is a lonely life. His solo travels have put him in many hard situations where he has had only himself to rely on, and he has come to be a swift decision-maker, and a daring one. He doesn‘t hesitate in the face of danger. In fact, he has been known to take the riskier route, just for the adventure in it.

“As you’ll have guessed from looking at me, there are some who say I’m touched by the fey – though I don’t believe it. Fey folk have magic, and fear the touch of iron, and neither is true of me, and I can grow a beard when I choose. Though I can’t claim to not be a bit different from most folk. Cold doesn’t touch me, never has – and that’s how I came to leave the cold lands of the north.”

“My mother – Gunhild was her name - was older, past the age where she could expect to have a child, and full of sadness for the lack of a little one to love, but she was a beauty for the skalds to sing of. My father was younger by some years, mad with love for her and filled with rage – I think he wanted only to make her happy, and he blamed their childlessness on himself. That is what I was told, at any rate, by my uncle Kjartan, my sister’s elder brother, for that was all before I was born. And about that, I know nothing, for I am a foundling.”

“My mother used to tell me the story of how she found me. How she was out walking one day, having told my father she was going to look for spring herbs, though winter had not yet begun to relinquish its grip and no herbs were to be found on the snow on that bitter, icy day. I think she just wanted to be alone with her sadness, though she never as much to me. In any case, she discovered my tiny body, even paler than you see me now, on a patch of ice in the shade of a great soldier pine. A woman who wanted nothing in the world more than her own child, she could not fathom how anyone could leave a babe out to die on the ice. She picked me up and to her amazement, pale and cold as I was, I cried out. And so did she, in joy and amazement, that she held a child, and at the thought that the child could be her own.”

“She wrapped me in her shawl and carried me quickly home, and her joy must have filled my father’s heart with gladness, to see her smile and laugh so at the change in her fortune. I guess they were happy for some years, though my mother much more so than my father. He had wanted a son of his own line, and one not so scrawny and…well, fey. Children left by the fey folk are not uncommon near Elfmeet, in the west of Icemark, not so very far from my home, and he came to believe more and more strongly that I was one of them. Though I’ll say again, I may look it, but I don’t believe I’ve got a drop of fey blood in me. But that’s not the tale we’re telling here, is it? My mother was happy, and loved me dearly. My father took good enough care of me when I was just a boy, though there was little love between us. As I grew, that little love became less. He felt I had taken his place in my mother’s affections, and resented me, and as I grew older, we fought. With words, I should say, at least at first. We would argue and shout and he would threaten, but before he could lay a hand on me, I would vanish into the wild, into the cold.”

“As I said, the cold doesn’t really touch me, and I took to disappearing into the woods and mountains – just for a few hours at first when I was very young, even walking out the door barefoot, in need of the peace and well-being I could find in the cold woods, where few others ventured and I could be alone. I hunted as a boy with my uncle, and he had seen I had some gifts in that regard, and that I would stick to a task until I saw it through, and he came to regard me kindly, perhaps even love me. He taught me what he knew of woodcraft and survival, and I built upon that.”

As I grew, I travelled further and longer, and came to see I was not alone in the cold. The beasts of the frozen plains and the Iceworm Hills came to be my companions and my fascination. I would track and study them, moving through the hills without a sound, learning their ways and weaknesses, their secrets and strengths. Some I learned to avoid, some I failed to avoid and had no choice but to fight them to survive – though my study of them helped me in those fights, no doubt. Other creatures I was able to come to an understanding with, more so than with many people, and the cold wilds truly became my home.”

“My mother ever worried about my rangings, and her concern, and my lack of it, were the death of her. In my 15th winter, after a bitter argument with my father, I snatched up my pack and my weapons and set out on a long trek. I was gone for nearly two weeks, longer than ever before, when my mother took it upon herself to look for me. She was ill-prepared for such an outing, and told no one, leaving the house crazed with worry about me. She got lost, or gave up, or something, and was gone overnight, and found by my father after some days, frozen to death – and of all this I knew nothing. When I returned home, my father attacked me – and this time not with words. He said I was no son of his, and called me a son of the ice, for I had been born to the ice, and now had made my mother ice as well. Forgive me, I need a moment. I have never told this entire tale to anyone, and it was not so very long ago.”

“Where was I? Ah yes, a son of the ice. That is now my name, Ísson, as I‘ve no wish to carry my father‘s name, and it reminds me of what my carelessness and selfishness did to my mother.“

“So, my father and I fought, both fueled by sorrow and rage, and to my surprise, I bested him. I had been hardened by my ranging and my instinct for studying my prey had taught me much about my father, though I never thought to use it. As I say, I bested him, and would have killed him had not my uncle Kjartan come running into the house and stayed my hand. He told me that my mother had loved us both, son and father, and would not wish us to harm each other. I saw he was right and, for my mother‘s sake, I stepped away from my father, who promptly snatched up a wood-axe and tried to kill me. My uncle held him off while I made my escape, for I knew my father would fight me to the end, and there is only one way for a fight to end when one man is unwilling to kill the other.“

“I left my home that day, some four winters ago, to place as much distance as I could between myself and my father, who I fear still seeks some strange vengeance on me. I made my way south and east, learning the ways and dangers of new lands and beasts, and eventually came to Heldren. I now use what I‘ve learned of the cold wilds to guide those who must travel them, or wish to hunt them, or otherwise need to survive in them. And I now study my fellow man as I once only studied the creatures of the wild, noting their strengths and weaknesses, the good and ill of their ways, and it is a fascinating study. And when that study turns my mood too dark, I continue my own private explorations of these cold lands, to learn more, and seek quiet and peace.“

DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor +2 Dex)
HP 11 (1d10 +1 Con)

Saving Throws
Fortitude: +4 (+2 level, +2 Con)
Reflex: +4 (+2 level, +2 Dex)
Will: +2 (+0 level, +2 Wis)

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.

Melee Greatsword: +4 (2d6+6/19-20/x2)
Melee Greatsword with Power Attack +3 (2d6+9/19-20/x2)
Melee Light Mace: +4 (1d6+4/20/x2)
Melee Dagger: +4 (1d4+4/19-20/x2)
Ranged Dagger, Thrown: +2 (1d4+4/19-20/x2/10' increment)
Ranged Longbow: +2 (1d8/x3/100' increment)
Ranged Sling: +2 (1d4+4/x2/50' increment)

STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +1, ; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats Power Attack, Cleave
Traits Frostborn, Northern Ancestry

Trained Skills (Ranks per level = 6)
Handle Animal: +4 (1 rank, +3 class)
Intimidate: +4 (1 rank, +3 class)
Knowledge (Geography): +4 (1 rank, +3 class)
Perception: +6 (1 rank, +3 class, +2 Wis)
Stealth: +6 (1 rank, +3 class, +2 Dex)
Survival: +6 (+7 to track) (1 rank, +3 class, +2 Wis)

Untrained Skills
Acrobatics: +2 (+2 Dex)
Climb: +4 (+3 Str)
Diplomacy: +0
Heal: +2 (+2 Wis)
Sense Motive: +2 (+2 Wis)
Swim: +4 (+3 Str)

Languages Common, Ulfen
Other Gear 10 GP | Greatsword, 2 Daggers, Light mace, Longbow (40 arrows, 20 blunt arrows), Sling (20 bullets), Chain shirt, Pathfinder's Kit (backpack, bedroll, belt pouch, mug, 2 fishhooks, flint & steel, sewing needle, signal whistle, 50’ string, 50’ thread, 2 water skins, whetstone), Rope, 50', 5 candles, 3 sunrods, flint&steel, 10 days rations, 5 pieces chalk

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ranger’s Focus: 1/day, select 1 enemy as swift action, gain +2 attack and damage
Track: add ½ level to Survival roll to track (+1)
Wild Empathy: improve initial attitude of an animal, works like Diplomacy skill, add ½ level to roll (+1)

RACIAL TRAITS
Heart of the Snows: treat cold climates as one category less severe; +2 on Fortitude saves vs effects of cold climates, on any check or saving throw to avoid slipping and falling, and to CMD against trip combat maneuvers. This bonus applies on Acrobatics and Climb checks made in slippery conditions.

Selana almost always wears her studded leather armor, even around her parents' house. When asked she says it is to be used to the weight so she can bear it when it's needed, but actually it's a more sentimental reason as the armor used to belong to her older brother, who died as a result of a bear attack out in the woods. She also carries her brother's fauchard, a weapon she learned to wield specifically to honor him.

Selana likes to boast about her skills with her weapon of choice and thoroughly enjoys humiliating those who claim they can beat her. Humor is something Selana uses to cope with misfortune and loss, sometimes turning to black humor when times get dire, like after her brother's death.

It went on like this for many years until she was thirteen years old. At that moment her eldest brother joined the town guard, just like their father. Seeing how happy her parents were with this she decided she'd become a guard as well when she grew up and as a result got far more serious than she had been before. All this changed once more a year later when the same brother died on a hunting trip with his friends, mauled by a bear. Seeing how much this all pained both her family and her brother's young bride she changed her plan. Thinking about how much of one's time was consumed by the work for the guard she decided it wasn't for her after all. She did not want to feel like she missed the people around her or to later have regrets about not spending time with her loved ones, like her father had after her brother died.

Since then she picked up her brother's armor and weapon, training to protect the town from threats while still doing what she wants to do. Better work a few days on a farmer's field and then go back home tired than be gone every day for almost the entire day. This was something she intended to do for the rest of her life, even if she managed to find a husband worthy of her and had children of her own.

Recently however strange dreams have been haunting her. Visions of herself as a giantess in the far north of the world. Many people had said that her family on mother's side must have giant's blood flowing through their veins as not only was her mother a tall, bulky woman her uncles were also among the tallest man in town. Supposedly her family from before that were in a similar situation being the tallest people in town. The dreams however were a new thing and her mother was surprised when she told her as this was the first time they occurred, or at least that was registered.

However, when he was 39 years old, he and a few of his buddies were hired by a witch to steal some jewelry in a from a rival witch Irisen. It was supposed to be their biggest heist to date, and was supposed to set him up for life. Unfortunately, his team was unfortunately caught red handed by the owner in the middle of the heist. It ended very badly for his team, as they were all killed by the witch. Tribble managed to escape with the jewelry, and completed his side of the contract. However, because his group was discovered and tied to his employer, his employer tried to kill him. Tribble managed to once again escape, but did not escape unscratched. His employer placed a powerful icy curse on him, turning his pinkish skin white, stealing his strength away, and permanently withering his legs from bitter cold. This ended his thievery career prematurely.

Seeking to cure his legs and his curse, he sought help from the local priest of Erastil. The cleric agreed to help him, but as penance he had to learn the healing arts and serve the community. He eventually came to enjoy his work as a healer. Over the next 8 years, Tribble eventually regained much of his former mobility despite the condition of his legs through personal training and hard work. More importantly, he eventually discovered that he himself had magical talent, particularly over cold.

Despite feeling satisfied with his life, he retains some hatred and fear for the Jadwiga witches of the north, and still holds strong prejudices against witches in general. If the opportunity arose, Tribble wouldn’t mind getting some revenge.

“Those witches, you can’t trust a word they say. They all want one thing: power, and wouldn’t mind sacrificing their allies to get it. If they offer a deal, you are better off either walking away, or jabbing the point of your dagger through their heart.”

Defense
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (Armor +3, Shield +1, Dex +3, Size +1)
HP 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4
Special Defenses: +1 to Fort, Ref, and Will vs. Evil Arcane spellcasters; +2 bonus against fear

Offense
Speed 20ft. (Fleet of Foot, Lame)
Melee: Cane (Club) -1 (1d6-2, x2)
Ranged: Crossbow +4 (1d6, 19-20 / x2)
Oracle (Winter) Spells Prepared (CL 1):
1 (4x/day) Cure Light Wounds, Bless, Shield of Faith
0 (at will) Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic, Stabilize

Statistics
Str 6, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16
Base Atk +0, CMB -3, CMD 10
Feat: Additional Traits

Traits
Eyes and Ears of the City - +1 Perception, and Perception is always a class skill for you
Silent Hunter - +1 Stealth, and Stealth is always a class skill for you
Warded against Witchery - +1 trait bonus on saving throws against the spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities of evil arcane spellcasters, +2 trait bonus on spellcraft checks to identify spells cast by evil arcane spellcasters
Focused Mind - +2 trait bonus to concentration checks

Skills: Diplomacy +7, Disable Device +8, Heal +5, Perception +8 (+9 vs. traps), Sense Motive +7, Spellcraft +6, Stealth +12
Languages Common, Halfling, Goblin, Skald

SQ: Oracle Curse (Lame), Oracle Revelations, Tinkering, Halfling Luck, Fearless

Fearless: +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear. This bonus stacks with the bonus granted by Halfling luck.
Oracle Curse (Lame): One of your legs is permanently wounded, reducing your base land speed by 10 feet. Your speed is never reduced due to encumbrance.

Oracle Revelations:
Child of Winter (Ex): You gain the benefit of endure elements, but only against cold temperatures. You can move across regular snow without penalty, and heavy snow costs you only 2 squares of movement instead of 4. You can move across icy surfaces without penalty, and never need to make Acrobatics checks to run or charge on ice. You leave no trail in ice or snow, and cannot be tracked. During winter months, you gain a +2 insight bonus on initiative checks and reflex saving throws.

Other Gear: Studded Leather Armor, Thieves Tools (common), Oracle’s Kit, Cold-weather outfit, 6gp

Antwar is 5'11", his eyes are an amber color. He keeps his head and face cleanly shaven. He wears simple monks garbs and carries little past his bow and gear to survive.

Antwar is generally quite and keeps to himself. Having grown up on the streets and then being trained by monks he learned to be very self-reliant and independent. He has a generally friendly demeanor if engaged but is not a great conversationalist by any means.

However, when he was 39 years old, he and a few of his buddies were hired by a witch to steal some jewelry in a from a rival witch Irisen. It was supposed to be their biggest heist to date, and was supposed to set him up for life. Unfortunately, his team was unfortunately caught red handed by the owner in the middle of the heist. It ended very badly for his team, as they were all killed by the witch. Tribble managed to escape with the jewelry, and completed his side of the contract. However, because his group was discovered and tied to his employer, his employer tried to kill him. Tribble managed to once again escape, but did not escape unscratched. His employer placed a powerful curse on him, stealing his strength away; his legs became withered and maimed. This ended his thievery career prematurely.

Seeking to cure his legs and his curse, he sought help from the local priest of Erastil. The cleric agreed to help him, but as penance he had to learn the healing arts and serve the community. He eventually came to enjoy his work as a healer. Over the next 8 years, Tribble eventually regained much of his former mobility despite the condition of his legs through personal training and hard work. More importantly, he eventually discovered that he himself had magical talent, particularly over cold.

Despite feeling satisfied with his life, he retains some hatred and fear for the Jadwiga witches of the north, and still holds strong prejudices against witches in general. If the opportunity arose, Tribble wouldn’t mind getting some revenge.

“Those witches, you can’t trust a word they say. They all want one thing: power, and wouldn’t mind sacrificing their allies to get it. If they offer a deal, you are better off either walking away, or jabbing the point of your dagger through their heart.”

Defense
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (Armor +3, Shield +1, Dex +3, Size +1)
HP 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +4
Special Defenses: Warded Against Witchery, Fearless
Offense
Speed 20ft. (Fleet of Foot, Lame)
Melee: Cane (Club) -1 (1d6-2, x2)
Ranged: Crossbow +4 (1d6, 19-20 / x2)
Oracle (Winter) Spells Prepared (CL 1):
1 (4x/day) Cure Light Wounds, Bless, Shield of Faith
0 (at will) Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic, Stabilize

Statistics
Str 5, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 13, Cha 17
Base Atk +0, CMB -3, CMD 10
Feat: Additional Traits

Traits
Eyes and Ears of the City - +1 Perception, and Perception is always a class skill for you)
Silent Hunter - +1 Stealth, and Stealth is always a class skill for you
Warded against Witchery - +1 trait bonus on saving throws against the spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities of evil arcane spellcasters, +2 trait bonus on spellcraft checks to identify spells cast by evil arcane spellcasters
Focused Mind - +2 trait bonus to concentration checks

Skills: Diplomacy +7, Disable Device +8, Heal +5, Perception +8 (+9 vs. traps), Sense Motive +7, Spellcraft +6, Stealth +12
Languages Common, Halfling, Goblin, Skald

SQ: Oracle Curse (Lame), Oracle Revelations, Tinkering, Halfling Luck, Fearless

Fearless: +2 racial bonus on all saving throws against fear. This bonus stacks with the bonus granted by Halfling luck.
Oracle Curse (Lame): One of your legs is permanently wounded, reducing your base land speed by 10 feet. Your speed is never reduced due to encumbrance.

Oracle Revelations:
Child of Winter (Ex): You gain the benefit of endure elements, but only against cold temperatures. You can move across regular snow without penalty, and heavy snow costs you only 2 squares of movement instead of 4. You can move across icy surfaces without penalty, and never need to make Acrobatics checks to run or charge on ice. You leave no trail in ice or snow, and cannot be tracked. During winter months, you gain a +2 insight bonus on initiative checks and reflex saving throws.

Other Gear: Studded Leather Armor, Thieves Tools (common), Oracle’s Kit, Cold-weather outfit, 6gp

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