Reign of Winter book 6 (Inactive)

Game Master SwampTing

Rhon once again assails the crone (green).

Attack #1: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (11) + 23 = 34 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #1: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (3, 3) + 18 = 24
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Attack #2: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #2: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (4, 2) + 18 = 24
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Attack #3: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #3: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (3, 5) + 18 = 26
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

Attack #4: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #4: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (5, 5) + 18 = 28
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

_______________________________________
REMINDERS

Aura of Courage (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Resolve (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Faith (Su): Any attack made against an enemy within 10 feet of Rhon is treated as good-aligned for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Amsheagar shakes off the crones' hexes, then converges on Rhon's opponent. Together, the two of them finally cut down the crone queen, who ceases her struggle against Exiel's binding spell.

Purs tries to harm the undead women with positive energy. One of them simply resists the spell whilst the other partially rebuffs the spell. Exiel flies in for a powerful smite, but the undead women are unimpressed and take multiple swings at him with their own weapons - their icy staves - with alarming speed and proficiency!

[spoiler=GM]
4d20 ⇒ (11, 15, 14, 1) = 41
4d20 ⇒ (9, 13, 16, 8) = 46[/dice]

Whilst the crone queens prove to be surprisingly capable melee warriors, Exiel's defensive powers are even more prodigious, and he manages to fend off the swings of their icy staves!

Pathfinders are up.
Only 2 enemies remain.

Amsheagar surveys the battlefield. Mumbling to himself in his animal form, he looks at the crones fight Exiel. He calls down a spiral of holy flame as a flame strikes down on them.

fire/holy: 15d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 5, 3, 2, 3, 3, 5, 3, 5, 5, 2, 6, 1) = 52 DC 22 reflex half

Exiel gives a quick flourish with his rapier, then continues stabbing.

"Come on then. I can do this all day."

attack roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 = 45
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 13 + (4, 3) = 21
confirmation roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 = 41
crit damage roll: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

haste attack roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 = 46
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 13 + (3, 3) = 25
confirmation roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 = 43
crit damage roll: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

iterative attack roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 = 41
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 13 + (6, 3) = 28
confirmation roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 = 30
crit damage roll: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Smiting Red, osyluth guile on orange. AC41 generally, 48 vs Red and 51 vs Orange.

Whoa. Potentially 3 crits in a row!?

Amsheagar calls down a pillar of holy fire! He encounters some spell resistance, but the powerful druid pushes through and brings the searing flames down upon the crone queens. The one already injured by Exiel partially dodges the flames, but the smiting sorcerer demonstrates that he can actually be a deadly fencer when he is guided by his god (and when luck severely favors him). The crone queen is overcome, leaving only 1 final crone standing.

ONE crone queen left, and she seems quite burnt.
Rhon and Purs are still up.

Purs moves and tries to hit the last crone.

"Take that dead LADY"

attack holy adamantine battle axe: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (2, 2) = 11

crit confirm: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

Rhon exits his defensive stance, heals himself with the forge fire of Torag, and moves to engage the remaining crone. Rhon then enters his defensive stance. His ax lashes out an a single arcing slash at the last remaining crone.

Lay on Hands, Positive Energy Feedback Loop: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 5, 5) + 1 = 22

Attack: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike, vital strike: 4d8 + 18 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 3) + 18 = 30
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

_______________________________________
REMINDERS

Aura of Courage (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Resolve (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Faith (Su): Any attack made against an enemy within 10 feet of Rhon is treated as good-aligned for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Purs lands a strike on the crone queen, but Rhon, perhaps weary by the constant barrage and distracted by the ice storm still raging around him, narrowly misses.

Screeching with fury, the last crone queen lashes out at the 3 pathfinders before her.

The cron queen proves to be a capable melee combatant with her icicle staff. Rhon and Purs each take a s@#!, and whilst their resistance protects them from the physical cold, they each feel the chill of undeath reaching into their souls with each strike.

Rhon takes 20 damage from the hit (your DR does not protect you from this) and must make a fort save against energy drain.
Purs takes 17 damage from the hit and must make a fort save against energy drain.
Pathfinders are up. See if you can finish this before she gets another round!

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
Deathless: 1d100 ⇒ 39

Deathless armor enhancement: This armor protects its wearer from harmful negative and positive energy, including channeled energy. The armor absorbs the first 10 points of positive or negative energy damage per attack that the wearer would normally take. The wearer has a 25% chance to ignore negative levels from any attack. Deathless armor does not block healing of any kind and does not protect against positive or negative energy effects that do not deal damage or bestow negative levels. The deathless ability can be applied to armor of any sort, but not shields.

Rhon you're fine. Go ahead and take your actions.
Purs still needs to roll his fort save.
Pathfinders are up. See if you can finish this before she gets another round!

Rhon's axe whirls around and whistles through the air as he arcs it in towards the crone.

Attack #1: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #1: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (3, 8) + 18 = 29
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Attack #2: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #2: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (7, 1) + 18 = 26
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Attack #3: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #3: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (7, 8) + 18 = 33
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Attack #4: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, heroes' feast, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39 (+1 vs humanoids orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #4: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 18 ⇒ (1, 6) + 18 = 25
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

_______________________________________
REMINDERS

Aura of Courage (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Resolve (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Faith (Su): Any attack made against an enemy within 10 feet of Rhon is treated as good-aligned for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Purs tries to ward off the danger.

Uh-oh. Damn I miss the pre-errata battle cry feat...

Exiel maintains his defensive stance and continues to fence with the crone while keeping a watchful eye our for new combatants joining the fray. Seeing that the crone is still able to inflict potentially debilitating effects on his allies, Exiel decides to end it as quickly as he can.

"Your highness, you've been a pain in the bum for far too long. Time for you to fall for good."

Smite evil.

attack roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 = 35
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 6 + (5, 3) = 33

haste attack roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 = 46
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 13 + (1, 1) = 16
confirmation roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 = 46
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

iterative attack roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 = 42
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 13 + (3, 2) = 23
iterative attack roll, smite evil, fighting defensively, haste, crane style: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 10 - 2 - 5 = 34
damage roll: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Rhon resists the dark energies in the crone queen's staff, but Purs feels himself greatly weakened from the blow.

Rhon and Exiel hack and stab at the last of the crone queens, dealing substantial damage, but the crone queen still stands!

Purs takes 2 negative levels!
Purs and Amsheagar are still up for actions this turn.

Size isn't helping Amsheagar in this current space... He moves his pit under the ice wall and then moves up behind his allies. Ready to aid then when he can.

Purs tries to hit the queen with his axe.

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (5, 2) = 13

Amsheagar shuffles a little closer, straining with his immense bulk. Purs takes a swing but misses.

Seeing Exiel as the biggest threat, the crone queen swings furiously at him in a frenzy.

She misses. Unsurprisingly.

Pathfinders are up. This is probably the last round.

Edit: I'll call it here. You'll probably finish her off without trouble.

As the last of the active crone queens falls, you hear a cackling laughter issue from the matryoshka doll.

"Good, good! We are almost done. In the southern corner of the room is a small table and two chairs. A brass samovar — a traditional tea urn — sits upon that table, beside the silver platter. Get it."

"Then you need to cut out the hearts of the queens here, and put them into the pot. Once that is done, we will be taken back to the sacred pool where Vigliv and your friend the wizard await!"

You do indeed find the tea urn in the Southern corner of the room. The crone queens themselves are bedecked in gold and jewels, but no magical equipment - their icy staves melt with their demise.

Exiel looks to his companions, and seeing that no one else appears to be moving, gives a long sigh and draws the dagger that they had found earlier.

"'Tis unsavoury work, and would that we could be done with all of this as soon as possible. But if this is what is needed to stop Elvanna from covering all of Golarion in deep winter, then I guess I'll do it. It's not like the remains of these poor sods can be defiled any further, or that they pleasant people to begin with."

With a grim scowl, Exiel performs the deed. Once it is done, he gathers the fallen bodies and casts burning hands to cremate what's left.

"A final mercy, that though your lives and undeath were devoid of warmth, it may finally end in warmth, as in a forge."

"Good reddens!"

can we sleep? I'm out of channels

Rhon picks up the amulet that Earl had been wearing when this fight started.

Rhon gathers the tea urn from the table and walks quietly just behind Exiel as he grimly completes his task. With each new heart added to the tea urn you can see Rhon's face harden just a little bit more.

As the final heart lands in the tea urn Rhon's mouth opens to say something before he is suddenly whisked away.

***

Rhon sets the urn down and brushes his hands off. "Okay, we have done what needed done but why did we need to remove their hearts?"

Vigliv falls silent at Rhon's question, and an uneasy quiet fills the grotto for a moment. It is Ralph who breaks the silence with a low chuckle.

"Come now, is it such a mystery? When you were sent to retrieve Baba Yaga's death, you returned with her ritual dagger. You were then sent to retrieve her "life", and you retrieved the hearts of her daughters - the previous queens of Irrisen. So then, Baba Yaga died once, in a ritual, but she yet lives, seemingly in perpetuity . And the source of her ongoing life is... that she has a renewable supply of life-force to draw upon."

Vigliv interrupts Ralph with a loud clearing of her throat.

"You are clever to have worked it out, wizard, but you show a lack of wisdom, for you should be careful whose secrets you openly reveal. Suffice to say that you need Baba Yaga now, and therein lies the key to opening the penultimate layer of her prison. We need only use the urn to boil a tea, and then pour it over the doll that holds her. It will need to boil for about 8 hours, so you can take your rest in the mean time."

Vigliv invites you to rest in the grotto while she sets takes the urn and sets it over a fire she had built near the waterfall. The hours pass, and as you wake from your rest, you see her take the urn from the fire and pour a dark brew from the urn onto the matryoshka doll. Doing so causes the doll to crack open once again, revealing the last doll inside. A loud cackle suddenly reverberates throughout the canyon, and when it finally subsides, Baba Yaga addresses you from within the doll once more, her voice louder and more powerful than before.

"Hmm... took you long enough, and my daughters gave you quite a little trouble, didn't they? If you make such mistakes against Elvanna, you may not survive when that time comes! She is rather more cunning than her predecessors... Hmmph. Perhaps I should lend you a little more of my power, seeing as you are so weak!"

With another cackle, a wave of dark energy burst forth from the doll, washing over each of you, and you feel power welling up within you.

As you adjust to this new power, Vigliv also addresses you.

“The fate, the power, the death, and the life of Baba Yaga, all have you claimed. Only one thing remains for you to break her free from her prison and save your world: her blood, which flows through the veins of the ruling queen of Irrisen, her daughter Elvanna. Elvanna’s blood is her birthright, handed down from her mother, and represents both Baba Yaga’s and Elvanna’s burning desire to rule their fates and those of others. It is only with Elvanna’s blood, returned to her mother, that you can save your world from the eternal winter that threatens it."

“Even now, Elvanna has sequestered herself in Baba Yaga’s inner sanctum, here in the Dancing Hut, where Baba Yaga formulated her most potent spells and executed her most glorious triumphs, and where Elvanna now works her greatest ritual to cement her power, conquer your world, and supplant her own mother as Queen of Witches."

“Now you must go to this sanctum and face Queen Elvanna before she can finish her ritual. But beware, for time is running short, and Elvanna is truly her mother’s daughter. Her will to power is as strong as the blood in her veins, and she will not give up her desires easily. Heed the guidance of Baba Yaga, however, and you may yet win the day, freeing her and saving your world.”

"There is a gift I can give to aid you. I have harvested
some excess threads from your own threads of fate, which have grown long and densely plied as you have grown in power, and all the more so as you have pursued your quest to free Baba Yaga and save your
world. These strands hold some power over your fates, though that link will fade in a few days. In that time, if you cut the thread at a critical juncture, you may find your fortunes shift a little more in your favor."

Pathfinders I'll give you guys some time to set up for the final chapter. You each gain the following benefits for the remainder of this adventure:
1. +2 inherent bonus to 1 ability score of your choice.
2. Thread of fate:
When a PC cuts his thread of fate, he can choose one the following benefits, which takes place immediately.
• The PC can reroll one saving throw, attack roll, skill check, or ability check and take the higher of the two rolls.
• The PC gains an extra standard action on his turn for 1 round, even to cast a second spell if so chosen.
• The PC can change his place in the initiative order one time to the position of his choice.
• The PC gains a +10 luck bonus on one roll of his choice or to his AC for 1 round.
• All of the PCs’ current wounds are completely healed.
• All conditions currently affecting the PC are removed.
• The PC can recall up to 12 levels of spells that have already been cast or spell slots that have been used, restoring them to the character’s mind, just as if they had not been cast. For example, a character could recall one 9th-level spell and one 3rd-level spell, or three 4thlevel spells, or any combination of spells, provided the total number of spell levels does not exceed 12.

Once I have a post from everyone, I'll proceed to the briefing for the final chapter. Good news is that the map is much smaller than the last 2 dungeons.

Rhon doffs his armor and quickly inspects it for damage that might need repaired. Finding none he turns his attention to healing his wounds and restoring himself prior to resting. Rhon uses his remaining Lay on Hands to remove his fatigue and to bind his wounds.

Lay on Hands, Positive Energy Feedback Loop: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 3, 6, 6, 3) + 1 = 26
Lay on Hands, Positive Energy Feedback Loop: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 2, 5, 5, 2) + 1 = 26

Rhon also checks on the others to see if anyone requires healing prior to resting. (If anyone needs healed feel free to use one of Rhon's four remaining uses of Lay on Hands prior to resting. Lay on Hands is 7d6 of positive energy/healing.)

"Pur's are you able to able to restore my reflexes again? It would appear that something the witches did robbed me of some of it." (If Pur's doesn't have restoration prepared Rhon has a scroll of Restoration that can be used.)

Note: I am applying my +2 inherent ability store bonus to Strength.

Oof. That's alot to take in. I'll put the bonus stats into CHA of course. =D

I think Purs also has 2 negative levels to worry about, unfortunately.

Hey GM, I noticed that one of the uses of those fancy golden threads is "All conditions currently affecting the PC are removed." Would that include the negative levels and dex drain that Purs and Rhon are suffering from?

Exiel takes the opportunity to rest, grateful for the chance to recover his magical and divine powers.

"They sure did a number on us. But if we took on 4 past queens of Irrisen and came out on top, 1 more queen shouldn't be a problem... right?"

As they rest, Exiel whispers to the party, though he is focused in particular on his fellow-paladin of Torag.

"Rhon, I've been thinking about what we're learned about Baba Yaga's longevity. Personally, I don't much care about evil feeding off evil - they deserve each other, and evil destroying evil is just a case of one deserving the other. On the other hand, removing a system of goverment, even one as defective as Irrisen's monarchy, brings evils of its own if we do not replace it with something better. Anarchy and power vacuums breed evils of their own."

"But I wonder about the girl we found in that strange place, the one we rescued from Rasputin's stronghold. Anastasia. Unless I miss my guess, she may be favoured to replace Elvanna as the next queen. But she is still innocent. With guidance, she could be the best thing to happen to Irrisen in years, ushering in an unprecedented age of peace and kindness in a land that known none of it. But if she becomes that, then I would not want her to share the fate of the previous queens either."

"This troubles me. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

I have a restoration I can use my +1 is to Wisdom

"I don't want an evil government to replace an evil government either. Maybe we can talk to Anastasia?"

As you discuss the future of Irrisen, you notice that Anastasia is in fact herself in the grotto. She sits amidst a small ring of stones on the other side of the grotto. She notices Rhon and Exiel amongst you, and waves shyly before returning her attention to a small fire in the middle of the ring. She appears to be attended by a few tiny fey creatures who bear various gifts to her and treats and for her. She seems to be adjusting well to this new world.

Before you are able to go to her to speak to her, however, Vigliv comes to you.

"If you have had your rest, it is time to move on. Elvanna is nearing her goal, and you must act quickly if you are to stop her. To the East is a cliff path, and at the end is a cave. Enter the cave, and you will find yourself transported once again. Prepare yourself. It is a one-way trip until you finish your task. Take Baba Yaga's prison with you. She will guide you, and once she is free, she will help you find your way home, with your rewards for helping her."

Pathfinders you can consider yourselves at full hp.
Purs is still suffering from 2 negative levels. You can remove them both with your restoration scroll before you rest. Or you can roll your saves after your rest to see whether they become permanent negative levels. It's your choice.
Rhon is still suffering from 7 dex drain, which can also be removed with a single restoration spell.
Rhon and Purs you can indeed use your thread of fate to remove your negative level/dex drain respectively, if you want to use it up now.
Exiel is fine.
Amsheagar is fine will have some catch-up reading to do.

You can talk to Anastasia now if you want, but you will not have long. Declare your buffs and whether you are casting any restorations. We will proceed in about 24 to 36 hours.

Hmm.. Maybe it will be best to do the storyline-RP all at once at the end. I'll just go over and say hi for now. Sorry if I jumped the gun a little on this one.

Exiel goes over to Anastasia to say hi.

"Hey there little one. How're you holding up? You seem to have adjusted well to all of this. We're here for you, alright? Me and the dwarf and our new friends. Even the scary wizard-guy who's been hanging out here. We're here to protect you, so if you need anything, or if anyone tries to hurt you or scare you, come tell us and we'll take you away. In fact, if you want to leave this place after we're done with our mission, I think we can take you with us. There are so many places to see in Golarion. Varisia, Qadira, even Taldor. I mean, there are dangers, but it's probably safer than here, and you would have us to protect you. Reckon you would like that?"

Happy to resume the RP after we are done with the blasty-stabby parts.

"Exiel, we must also remember that evil begets evil. One is no better than the other. I worry about supporting Baba Yaga as much as we have but I know we can not allow the current queen of Irissen to continue to carry out her plan to encase our world in ice and snow as well as solidify her hold on her ever growing power. Perhaps once we have made out world safe from this one mad woman we might be able to extract reparations from Baba Yaga for what her daughter has done." Rhon taps a thick finger on his chin as he ponders the future for a moment.

Rhon follows Exiel over to where Anastasia is sitting. He curls his legs under himself as he takes a seat on the soft grass across from her. "I think there is more to this young lass then merely what we see before us. There is an inner strength that is only just now beginning to show itself." Rhon smiles as he speaks. "It is a rare thing indeed to see the fey honor someone as they are you at the moment Anastasia. I can only hope that this bodes well for the future."

Anastasia curtsies to you politely, and motions to the fairies to leave her before she speaks to you in a hushed tone. She speaks now in a halting Taldane. It appears that she has been receiving lessons, and has quite a gift for learning, but even so, it is a new language for her.

"I am well and I thank you both. The fairies have been kind to me. Even the scary ones. They tell me that I am the granddaughter of their mistress, and that I am very important, so I think... I think I will be safe. They are nicer than the guards who... who..."

"It does not matter now. I think I am safe, but I thank you for caring. It has been a long time since I have been treated nicely, and... the two of you, you are different from the fairies. They seem almost afraid of me, but you seem to care. I do not know if I will be allowed to leave, but know that I will always remember the ones who rescued me, and I will always consider you my friends."

Rhon and Exiel I like where this RP is heading. There will be an opportunity to revisit this at the end of the adventure.

Anastasia suddenly falls silent as you hear footsteps approaching you. You turn to see Vigliv approaching you with Baba Yaga's matryoshka doll, which she pushes into your hands.

"It is time to go," she says simply, in an impassive but firm tone.

You make your way to the cave that Vigliv had indicated to you, and after making your preparations, you step through. You find youselves transported to a lonely, frigid steppe. A bitter wind howls out of the north. The sky is an endless leaden, overcast dome above a brown plain of frozen mud and dry grass. There is no sign of the cave entrance that brought you here, and no apparent way to leave.

"Ah, just like mother Russia," Baba Yaga's voice coos from withint he doll. "I found a nice place, a Kurgan, and took it into my hut years ago, to use as my inner sanctum. An inner sanctum should remind one of home, don't you agree? Eeee-hee heee hee hee... But really, you are now in a small, looped plane. Pick a direction and walk. You will find yourself at my Kurgan after about a day's travel. But be careful! Elvanna has undoubtedly already been here and has likely turned my guardians against me, and there are other wild creatures that prowl these steppes! Don't dawdle now. Get going!"

Rhon and Purs last I checked we still have not determined for sure whether and how you are removing your DEX drain and negative levels respectively.
Amsheagar I assume you are allocating your temporary inherent stat bonus to Wisdom? Can you confirm?
Pathfinders what are your plans for travelling to the Kurgan? What buffs are you maintaining, if any, as you travel?

GM: I am going to have Purs use my scroll of Restoration to remove my Dex drain.

"Well if we have a days hike ahead of us we might as well get a move on." With that Rhon steps off and starts heading to what he assumes is the north. Hi armor clanks with each step but he keeps up a steady pace with no sign of fatigue due to the heavy armor he is encased in.

"Just a moment, Rhon. I think I have an idea. We found some wings of flying back there. Perhaps we can put it to some use. If you summon Earl, he might be able to carry both you and Purs, and maybe even his dog. I can fly by my own magic, and Amsheagar can turn into an air elemental. If we are all airborne, we may be able to get to our destination a little quicker, and possibly avoid some unnecessary battles en route."

Casting: Extended mage armor, Extended greater magic weapon, overland flight (recast as needed), Threefold aspect

"Given this is a realm within a realm it most likely plays by its own rules. I having a feeling when Baba Yaga said it takes a day to reach our destination it will take a day no matter how we travel."

Purs and Amsheagar? Are you guys caught up on the plot and ready to proceed?

Sorry I was too wrapped up in the game day games. I'll use my restoration spell. I'm OK sorry for missing the posts. I guess we can't rest I'm out of channels.

Purs No problem dude glad everything's ok. You got a 8 hour rest, so you have all your channels and spells back. Did you have any spells you want to cast before traveling over the snowy steppes?

Since we have 3, if we don't hear from Amsheagar in the next 24 hours I will bot him and move on.

Alright, I'm not going to wait for Amsheagar to reply. We just have to move on and hope he returns. In the mean time, I will control his character using his previously prepared spells.

At Rhon's urging, you set off across the steppes. The landscape is desolate and barren, the howling winds the only sound you hear as it overpowers even the sounds of your own breathing.

Rhon's prediction turns out to be correct. Your travel through the steppes is mostly uneventful, and eventually night falls. As the light fades (though no celestial source of light is apparent in the skies here), you can barely make out in the far distance a mound - the only change to the otherwise featureless expanse of white snow that you have seen the whole day long.

Pathfinders It will probably take another 2 hours of travel to reach the kurgan, where your battle to save Golarion from an eternal winter will reach its conclusion. You have the option of pushing on now, or resting here at a distance from the Kurgan to recover your strength before the final push. Majority vote, first option to get 2 votes will be the way you proceed

I vote for pushing on.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (10) + 24 = 34

"Finally something other than an endless expanse of tundra. Lets hustle up and finish with this task." Rhon continues his steady march towards the now visible mound in the distance.

"Aye, better a foe that we can actually fight than this endless cold!"

If the overland flight spell ran out earlier, Exiel would probably not have re-cast his overland flight after the first one ran out, but would re-cast it now. He would also re-cast mage armor and greater magic weapon if they run out.

Voting to press on too.

The group decides to press on towards the Kurgan.

The last of the light fades and disappears as you make your way through the snow. All around you the howling winds grow louder... and louder...

Suddenly, you see a large humanoid shape charging through the snow. It has the head of a feral elk with jagged teeth and sharp antlers. Its humanoid legs end in blackened, burnt stumps, and it flies through the air at a terrifyingly fast speed.

The creature seizes the initiative and catches all of you off-guard! Before you know it, it has reached 1d4 ⇒ 4 Purs and bites at him!

It bites down on the small cleric and latches on to him with its jagged teeth!

Purs takes 18 bite (B/P/S) damage, and another 13 cold damage, and is grappled!
Pathfinders are up.

I will have a map up in the next 24 hours, but it really isn't necessary. The monster is large in size and appears to have reach. Assume you are each 15ft away from Purs and/or the monster, just out of reach, but you can move in to melee with your move action if you wish.

"What the heck is that thing!? Darn it, I don't have all my spells up yet. But I can speed us all up!"

Swift action crane style, standard action cast haste on party, move action to get adjacent to it, since it's grappling Purs and can't take AoOs.
Requesting map.

Rhon's face takes on a firm countenance as he appraises this new threat. Rhon hussels into melee with the creature and enters his defensive stance. He calls on the living rock to aid his axe strike. Rhon hews his axe down in a bone splitting arc.

Attack: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40 (+1 vs humanoids of orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike, vital strike: 4d8 + 19 ⇒ (2, 8, 1, 1) + 19 = 31
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

_______________________________________
REMINDERS

Aura of Courage (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Resolve (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Faith (Su): Any attack made against an enemy within 10 feet of Rhon is treated as good-aligned for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

what knowledge skill to identify?

sorry I asked this before. I'm in the saddle normally does it rip me out?

delay for a bit until ruling?

His faithful hound attacks.

bite: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Purs you are still on your dog for now, but he may try to remove you from your dog next round. He is large and flying.

Knowledge planes to identify it

knowledge planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Exiel has no idea what this thing is...

Waiting on Purs to post, then will bot Amsheagar if he has not posted by then.

Purs uses his Boots of escape to get out of the grapple.

Exiel casts haste and Rhon charges in to attack the monster, scoring a solid hit - but for some reason, just like with the crone queens, his strike does not cut nearly as deep as it should. Exiel moves in along with Rhon, apparently forgetting that he has yet to cast all his buffs.

Uncomfortable with being grappled, Purs uses his boots to create some space between himself and the monster. His dog takes a couple of quick bites at the monster before they are transported, but its teeth seem incapable of penetrating the monster's damage resistance at all!

Seeing that Rhon is having trouble damaging the creature, Amsheagar decides to try assaulting the creature with magic.

Amsheagar will cast finger of death.

CL check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

Amsheagar's powerful spell penetrates the monster's spell resistance and rips through the monster's body, turning its howls into ragged gasps. But seeing that Exiel is unarmoured and right next to him, he decides to test the sorcerer's defences while his buffs are down.

Either way, you notice that the monster's wounds are closing spontaneously and at a rapid rate. It appears that this is not a foe that will be easily overcome.

Pathfinders are up.
The monster appears to have spell resistance, significant damage resistance that you don't yet know how to penetrate, and fast healing.

Exiel realises his error as Purs disappears, leaving him in the path of the monster's fury. He raises his magical ward, deflecting the monster's attacks. He ponders his options as the monster flails at Rhon without success.

"Hmm... sorry guys, I'll need a moment to raise my defences before I re-enter the fray."

Realising that the monster will just target him the moment he dismisses his force sphere, Exiel begins preparing for that eventuality.

Free action drop rapier, move action draw metamagic rod. Casting extended barkskin.

Meanwhile, from within the safety of the force sphere, Exiel calls forth Lauriel to consult with her on what the creature might be, hoping to support the party with knowledge even in his disadvantageous position.

"Hey Lauriel. This thing's like a humanoid but has stumps for legs and it flies real fast. Howls alot, frosty, has the head of a feral elk but sharp teeth. Mean streak a mile wide. Any clues?"

Lauriel's knowledge planes: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 38

Questions in order of importance:
1. How to bypass its DR?
2. Other special defences or immunities?
3. Any special weaknesses?
4. Saves from highest to lowest

Purs starts casting a full round spell.

summon monster VII

"This thing seems tough!"

Rhon continues to try to keep the creatures attention until his companions can figure out a way to kill it. He whirls his axe at the beast over and over again.

Attack #1: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27 (+1 vs humanoids of orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #1: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (5, 4) + 19 = 28
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Attack #2: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, haste: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20 (+1 vs humanoids of orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #2: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (8, 7) + 19 = 34
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Attack #3: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, haste: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 (+1 vs humanoids of orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #3: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (2, 6) + 19 = 27
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

Attack #4: +1 ghost touch holy impact dwarven waraxe, power attack, stonestrike, haste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32 (+1 vs humanoids of orc or goblinoid subtype or +2 if Earth subtype or Construct)
Damage #4: Magic, ghost touch, good, slashing, power attack, stonestrike: 2d8 + 19 ⇒ (4, 5) + 19 = 28
Additional damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
Additional damage if Earth subtype or Construct: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

_______________________________________
REMINDERS

Aura of Courage (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Resolve (Su): Each ally within 10 feet of Rhon gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Aura of Faith (Su): Any attack made against an enemy within 10 feet of Rhon is treated as good-aligned for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction. This ability functions only while Rhon is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.

Lauriel identifies the monster as a wendigo. It has damage resistance that can be bypassed by enchanted cold iron weapons (magic and cold iron). It is immune to ice and fear, but vulnerable to fire. In fact, fire will also temporarily suppress its fast healing!

Exiel remains in his force bubble, wondering how to get out without being immediately savaged by the wendigo. Purs, a safe distance away, begins casting a summoning spell.

Amsheagar, hearing that the wendigo does not like fire, draws upon his druidic powers to fire a bolt of flames at the wendigo to suppress its fast healing.

Amsheagar's spell strikes the wendigo, burning it severely. It shudders and shrieks in pain as the flames singe its fur. With a loud howl, it begins to withdraw from you, flying in the direction of the kurgan at an incredible speed.

Pathfinders the wendigo looks badly wounded and is attempting to flee to the Kurgan. You are hasted so you can close the gap a little, but the wendigo has a fly speed of 120, so it has withdrawn to a distance of 240ft from Rhon and Exiel. You probably only have 1 round in which to try to try to kill it before it disappears from view.