Reign of Winter with GM Deadly Secret - Table 1 - The Snows of Summer (Inactive)

Game Master Deadly secret

The door opens as in runs the panting little gnome "late to the party again I see, how are your legs so damn long? And I heard something about their touch bearing the harsh bite of winter?"

"How many of them were there? Any idea on where they might have gone?" Kovacs inquired. Turning to the newly arrived Creed and figuring that it would be best to fill her in, he added "Looks like the good Lady was taken by some ice fey from Irrisen."

The location is Heldren - Willowbark Apothecary

Yuln tries to answer, "I honestly could not count, perhaps over a dozen bandits and the fey are so small it was hard to see with the snow obscuring our vision." He pauses for a moment then continues, "They went into the forest, back through the ice and snow. Beyond that, I don't know. I followed as far as I could, but the winter-touched were too many and too hard to fend off in the snow alone. I barely escaped, and rode to seek help here.”

Kovacs nodded, and turned to the others, "You know, I hear there's a group of rangers that keeps watch over the woods. The High Sentinels. Might be they know more about what's going on. Could be worth paying them a visit," he suggested before looking to Tessaraea, "I don't suppose they have some sort of headquarters in town here?" he asked.

Hargo turns to to our gnomish friend and jokingly answers her rhetoric, "Little one, my legs are this long because I have walked for much of my life. Even when I sleep, I dream that I am walking!"

His face becomes more somber, and he stares intensely at Yuln's nose. "So we have freezing fey that like to change noses into plums cahorting with immoral bandits who would work with such soulless creatures. Perhaps the odds are not in our favor, but Gorum surely smile upon us if we were to bring these forest folk to heel."

He continues, "It seems we must simply find where the snow is deepest, and we will find these creatures. We might even be able to catch them unawares, if we can track them and make our way quietly."

After Kovacs' suggestion, he finishes, "They may be worth a visit. If nothing else, they might have supplies that could aid us."

"What happened to the other bodyguards? We're they taken or killed? Was Lady Malassene targeted specifically to be taken?"

The location is Heldren - Willowbark Apothecary

“Everyone was murdered, only I survived. Their bodies were left where we were attacked." Yuln describes to you where they were attacked, just on the edge of the border woods where the road forks to another road into the woods. "I don't know why or if she was a target specifically, but if one of the White Witches took her, no good shall come of it. The winter-touched do nothing without the leave of those who placed the ice in their hearts. If they're here, it's because a White Witch sent them. And much worse will follow.”

Map of the Border Wood

The location is Heldren - Willowbark Apothecary

Tessaraea responds, "No, they only go to their lodge. None of them actually live here in town, nor do they have any family members. In fact I don't even recall when I last spoken to someone claiming they were a ranger."

"Well, that's unfortunate. I suppose, there's not much else but to take a little walk in the woods, check out the site of the attack," Kovacs suggested to the others.

Ragnar nods in agreement, "I suppose going to the scene of the attack is the next step."

"I can get behind that, I'll probably eat to summon my mount first"

"How much is that potion of resist cold?", Hargo asks, realizing that it may come in handy at some point.

The location is Heldren - Willowbark Apothecary

Tessaraea says, "This potion is valued at 300 gp. Did you want to buy it?"

Yessena has been listening to this conversation with interest. Even though she had just been bandaged up after her last scrape with bandits. She rubbed her bandaged forearm and rose to speak.
"Bandits, Fey, Witches? Seems like you're getting yourselves in the middle of quite the ordeal." Yessena straps her greatsword to her back. "Mind if I join you? I think I owe those bandits a thing or two."

"I for one would be happy to have one more for the journey ahead," Kovacs said with a friendly smile, "Name's Andrei. I take it, then, you've met these bandits before?"

"I am Yessena, and I haven't met them really, they jumped me and cut my arm" Yessena rubs the bandage. "I was able to lose them, but it didn't leave much time for introductions. I didn't see any Fey either, but I wasn't looking back much, mostly I was running."

This hamlet must get a lot of adventurers. Yeesh.

"Erf. Maybe not."

Turning to Yessena, he offers a few words of encouragement. "There is no shame in retreat when outnumbered twelve to one. Especially if one plans to bring friends next time."

He then turns and addresses everyone. "It seems we have yet another reason to go hunting. Yet if it is so cold that we could lose limbs, perhaps we could do for some warmer clothing."

At this point you might notice furs peeking out from his pack

"I've got a spell to help survive the cold, for those who need it. But, yes, those who can afford cold weather clothing should probably get some," Andrei stated. After all, he could only cast so many times a day.

Ragnar looks at the strange woman in strange armor, but her greatsword is respectable enough, I hope she knows how to use that thing. Ragnar then smiles and offers his hand in greeting to Yessena, "Nice to meet you Yessena. Name's Ragnar."

Then turning back to the rest of the group, "Maybe we should head to the general store and get anything we way need and head out before dark. We can stop by Dansby's place on the way out."

@GMDS: Is it safe to assume Dansby's farm is before the Border Wood where the attack took place? How far away is the "Massacre Site?" We might want to wait until morning to leave. Probably avoid fighting fey at night, especially during a New Moon.

Yessena grabs Ragnar by the forearm, leaving her own forearm by his hand.

"I guess I could do with some warmer clothing....and I'm running low on rations as well."

"Well then, shopping trip it is!" Kovacs said cheerfully, turning to go to the general store, Kilava slinking silently along behind him.

As they make their way to the general store, Hargo calls out, "Wait! I actually have enough warm clothing for all but one of us. I was coming into town to buy some for my family."
He then hands out a winter outfit to whoever gets them first, saving the smaller outfit for Creed.

I'll go ahead and subtract 3 cold weather outfits from my character sheet. Creed's is guaranteed since we can only deus ex machina one small sized outfit. Unless GM Deadly Secret just wants to have Creed walking around in an outfit way too large for her. Whoever wants to have them first gets them, they are only 5gp anyway lol.

"My thanks," Kovacs said, taking one of the outfits.

"Thank you Ragnar, I'm running rather low on coins as it is. I still need to get some rations for the road, but a weeks rations shouldn't be all that much."
Yessena takes one of the outfits and heads on to the general store.

Dansby farm is not close to the site. It will take you about 3 hours to get to the site and it's still afternoon Dansby is opposite direction and isn't as urgent.

"Ragnar is the other tall one. I am Hargo. Perhaps you can remember that he has a beard and I do not. You are welcome." Hargo sounds rather light-hearted as he says this. Clearly he does not mind so much.

"I'll wait for you all, I need nothing else from the general shop." He then begins milling about the town square.

I'm almost certain that was an accident, but I went ahead and addressed it in character. Also it is probably easy to confuse two humans that both come from barbarian cultures anyway.

Ragnar nods at Hargo, "Thanks, but I have enough coin for one of my own."

At the General Store, Ragnar will purchase one set of Cold Weather Gear (8gp) and put it in his backpack, and 2 days of rations (1gp).

Yeah, that was an accident, your pictures are both bearded rugged men with fair skin. Or at least, I see a beard, maybe it's just the contrast.
"My apologies, Hargo."
Yessena carries on to the general store, and purchases some rations.
Yessena will purchase 4 days of rations, the pfsrd lists trail rations as 5sp, but it seems they're going for 50sp here, so (2gp)

OK you all make purchases at the store

"thank you Mr. Hargo, it shan't be forgotten. Now if anyone desperately needs anything I have 70-4 days of rations gold."(waiting for clarification)

@GM: Is Dansby's farm on the way to the "Massacre Site?"

How far away is the massacre site?

What time of day is it currently?

Scroll up, those questions are already answered.His farm is more North of the woods and you want to go more south east of the woods.

Scroll up, those questions are already answered.His farm is more North of the woods and you want to go more south east of the woods.

Sorry, I must have scrolled right past it.

After purchases Ragnar is ready to head out.

Kovacs is ready to head out as well.

When everyone is ready to proceed, please roll me 2 perception checks that will be used in the future.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Hargo is ready to go

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

And on the off chance it matters, Animal Companions perception:
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Yessena is ready.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Perception 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Perception 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18
perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2
I'm ready

The date is 4713 AR on Oathday, 17th Earstus at 4:00 pm - current moon cycle: new moon
The location is The Border Wood - Massacre Site

The party sets off towards the location Yuln informed you of. After an 8 mile walk down the road near the forest, the temperature grows noticeably colder. You start to see snow, you continue walking down the road for another mile as your movement has slowed due to the rising snow levels. The snow fall thickens and your vision becomes more obscured. The road ahead is littered with debris and the corpses of slain humans and horses. A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the forest.

This is 100% difficult terrain from here on out. Things you can not do in difficult terrain: You can not run, charge, 5 foot step or move at your full speed (unless you have said tool to do so). Things you can do: Make snow angels.

Weather Rules - Snow & Heavy Snow

Your movement is reduced by half. Also, it is now snowing!!! That's right. You will forever now have a -4 to sight perception (while outside) and a -4 to all ranged attacks (including rays, while outside). If you have any questions about all this, let me know and I will try to answer as soon as possible. Please try to include these penalties, if you forget I will add them for you.

Current Map:
Massacre Site

Kilava growled uncomfortably at the sight, as Andrei absently stroked her white head, "Well, you've met with a terrible fate, haven't you," he murmured, looking at the frozen man. Noting the tracks, he stated "Seems like they were headed into the forest."

For good measure, he casts detect magic and scans the area.

The location is The Border Wood - Massacre Site

Andrei does not detect any magical aura's.

Hargo, hearing the movement coming from carriage, carefully makes his way over to it. He shouts loud enough for those inside to hear, "Hello? Are there any survivors in there?"

Yessena approaches the man face-down in the snow and rolls him over with her feet.

The location is The Border Wood - Massacre Site

Yessena, you notice the body is stiff from rigor mortis. His face is completely frostbitten, even worse than Yuln's. You find a tiny little arrow stuck in his neck. Surely only a creature of diminutive size could fire such a small arrow. The man looks like he was the driver to the carriage and does not appear to have anything of value on him.

Hargo does not get a response but instead he hears moans and some shifting sounds inside the carriage.

Ragnar lets out a low whistle at the site of the destruction. He moves forward slowly following about 10 feet behind Hargo, and keeping an eye out for an ambush, gripping his scythe tightly. At the lack of response to Hargo from inside the wagon, Ragnar quietly says to Hargo, "Be careful, might be undead. After an attack like this, be ready for anything."

Yessena pulls the tiny arrow out of the neck of the carriage driver and studies it, then slowly crunches through the snow to the carriage where Hargo is.

Andrei and Kilava also moved through the snow to the carriage.

Creed will move, staying in a spot where she is sandwiched as to avoid surprise attacks
"do you want me to make some lights?"