Reign of Winter with GM Deadly Secret - Table 2 - The Snows of Summer (Inactive)

Game Master Deadly secret

As she works away at removing the ice: "The sword is cold iron. It must be why they mutilated this man. We should still make use it, although whoever holds it may find themselves targeted by the fey."

She pauses as she adjusts the chisel. "I can use a longsword, but someone more mobile than myself would probably make better use of it."

I'll also check the breastplate quality and search the body once I can.

chip, chip, chip

"If they do target people with cold iron weapons, we might be able to use that to our advantage. I can use my magic to bolster magical defenses for a minute. If I can cast that on the wielder before we enter combat, they may waste their attack on a well-defended opponent."

i.e. Resistance cantrip

Using some of the wood and fire from the pyre, Steinolf uses it to aid Gavinia with trying to melt free the ice encased victim.

Survival to aid using fire: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Your party takes a few hours to do the tasks you set forth for yourself. It seems to be taking a long time to chip away the ice on the body. You don't think there is any value in this breastplate It's in the broken condition and if you want it you guys will have to spend more time chipping it out completely..

Perception
Steinolf Stone 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 +1 traps
Garrasy 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9, familiar 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Gavinia Hornsten 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Yukiharu 1d20 ⇒ 2, familiar n/a
Mordred 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Gavinia Hornsten checks inside the carriage at some point. Everything has been looted from the scene but the bandits missed a small jewelry box under the seat. Inside you find a signet ring, a pair of earrings, a set of pearl-inlaid bracelets, assorted gold and silver necklaces and one sapphire pendant.

Knowledge (Local)
Steinolf Stone - 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Gavinia Hornsten - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Appraise
Steinolf Stone 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Garrasy 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Gavinia Hornsten 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Yukiharu 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Mordred 1d20 ⇒ 4

It's around 5 pm but since it is the summer, it won't be dark til after 9 pm. When/if the party is ready to follow the trail I will want 2 Perception rolls for your check point. Garrasy already knows he can follow the trail with his previous survival check. If you don't want to follow the trail, just let me know where to.

If breastplate is broken, then it's not worth taking. We should take everything else - we can return the jewellery box/clothes to the lady when we find her. I'll also grab the spear if no-one else wants it. It's a shortspear I assume?

Perception 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 (17 if sight-based)
Perception 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 (1 if sight-based)

Yeah, sorry it's just a shortspear

Pulling out the ring with the family crest on it Steinolf speaks up. “This is the symbol of the Argentina family. They are from Oppara, my hometown. This is not good, whoever attacked them must be because of who this woman is. Thefamily has deep ties to Taldan history... we must bring her back alive or I am afraid war will break out.”

Putting the jewelry into a belt pouch; “We will keep these for her, they are valuable... but the reward for her return will be greater I am sure. But we still have time before sundown... we should make some way.”

Perception 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 +1 vs Traps
Perception 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 +1 vs Traps

Looking around in the snow Steinolf will look for tracks to follow and he will guide the party following the tracks.

Survival w/+1 Track: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

For crying out loud.... rolled a 1, 5, & 2. “Wait what, there’s snow?”

“Gavinia, if no one else needs it, I could use a cold iron weapon against these foes.”

"Hurrrurr. You take it Steinolf. It will come in handy."

With the funeral rights completed, Garrasay begins to follow the trail.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Mordred looks around as he follows the group. Knowing that they could run into trouble, he keeps his mouth closed.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Yukiharu's check in
perception: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 1 - 4 = 5
perception: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 4 = -1

The location is The Border Wood - Trail 5:30 pm - current moon cycle: new moon

As it enters the full expanse of the Border Wood, the trail passes through a small clearing among the taller trees before continuing uphill and out of sight. A large chest lies half-buried in the snow, apparently dropped or discarded by those who hastily passed this way.

Your perceptions did not reveal anything at this time.

Gavinia peers around the treeline suspiciously. "We should be wary. The zombies in the carriage were a trap, and this could be another one. Is there anything suspicious in the tracks here?"

Grasping her symbol in one hand, she lays another on Steinolf and murmurs softly "Alseta, lend us your protection."

Resistance on Steinolf, +1 to saves for 1 minute

Looking around on the ground for fresh track Steinolf approaches once everything looks safe. Shield and his new sword at the ready.

“It looks like they might have left this behind. Maybe the Lady was giving them to much trouble?”

I’m assuming those perception checks were for seeing anything involved with this chest?

maybe they're fake checks to make us suspicious! :)

If there's time I will cast Resistance on anyone else approaching the chest,
then on myself
then I approach the chest

Steinolf approaches the chest looking for hazzards and if it is locked

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 +1 vs traps

“Stay back and let me check this out.”

The first set of perceptions were not enough to spot the mechanical trap, even with trap-finding. When Steinolf Stone & Gavinia Hornsten approach the chest, your feet trigger a hidden white string that blended in with the snow and a spiked log swings down from the trees striking you both.

A spiked log swings down from the trees striking Steinolf Stone
Melee vs. FF AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 x2/19-20 bludgeoning and piercing damage
Hits

A spiked log swings down from the trees striking Gavinia Hornsten
Melee vs. FF AC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 211d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 x2/19-20 bludgeoning and piercing damage
Hits

You open the chest and discover it’s empty.

Standing back up, Steinolf let’s out a curse in Ulfen.

“uhh, so clearly we are dealing with people that don’t want survivors to follow and rescue the Lady. Bah! Ontop of that the chest is empty...”

Steinolf brushes off the snow and makes a mental note that the people they are following let tonset Up traps and will continue a bit more cautiously.

Looking around for a trail to follow...

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Tracking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"Grrr. We will need to be more careful, our prey is cunning and duplicitous. How bad are your wounds? It would be foolish pressing on if we are hurt. Tomorrow I will prepare some enchanted berries to help mend the injuries"

Garrasay assists Steinholf in picking up the trail again.

survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Steinolf looks himself over and responds to Garrasy as he wipes blood from his mouth; “Nothing seems to be broken, but I’m feeling it for sure.

Gavinia picks herself up from the snow. "I have some healing magic." She chants a prayer as she rests a hand on herself, then Steinolf.

Cure Light Wounds, me: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cure Light Wounds, Steinolf: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Unfortunately, that is all I can manage for today. We should be cautious if we journey further before making camp." Looking up in the trees for where the logs came from, she continues, "We should check where the traps were set. There may be something to learn about our enemies."

As she sees Garrasay and Steinolf examining the tracks, she rests a hand on Garrasay to grant him the blessing of community.

Minor Community Blessing: Aid another actions grants +4 bonus for 1 minute

"Do you think they have returned here? If they are checking this trap regularly, it may be worth camping nearby and setting an ambush of our own."

Steinolf stretches and acts as if he has his full range of motion again. Smiling at Gavinia he says;

“Thank you Gavinia. I will check out the traps, I’ll even see if I can disable it and get anything useful from its mechanical parts.”

Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 +1 vs traps

Steinolf is unable to disable this trap, but it does appear that it's reset is manual so you don't think it's going to go off again.

Garrasy knows he still can still see and follow the tracks.

Garrasay waits for the others to finish healing and are ready to go before proceeding down the trail, this time keeping a keen eye out for traps along the route.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Garrasy, before you leave while the group is trying to decide if they should press on, you notice something sticking out from under the chest.

Hrrrrggg. What is that? Another trap?"

Garrasay indicates the thing sticking out from under the chest.

"What is it?" Gavinia trudges over and cautiously peers at the protruding object.

"I am also suspicious. We could cut some rope from these log traps, tie them around the chest and then pull the chest off from a safe distance. If it is indeed some trap, we should be out of range."

Unless someone has some rope, Gavinia will start cutting rope (or vine or whatever) from the log traps.

(On my phone , sorry I hate posting on it but only option for now)

Mordred takes the whole clearing in , not wanting to disturb the others while they are checking out the clearing morde does a quick check outside the clearing looking for a lookout blind or anything of interest, (that should markup for no post , roll if nessisary on this DM ) coming out of the woods after hearing the commotion with his axe ready “Everyone ok? “

Gavinia Hornsten you see something under the chest that Garrasy pointed out and you dig it out. You find the majority of the weapons and armor stripped from Lady Argentea's guards, including five sets of leather armor, three sets of studded leather armor, a masterwork chain shirt, two light wooden shields, seven longswords, two spears, a masterwork dagger, and three light crossbows with a total of 25 bolts.

If you take any of these items, document it in your own inventory and make sure you consider the weight for encumbrance.

When you are ready to move on, roll me a site-based perception and a Fortitude save with your cold weather outfit bonus. Allies may roll survival to aid another one ally. If you’re doing this go ahead and roll that and call out who you’re aiding.

If you don't plan to move on and would rather set up camp, let me know and we will use those same rolls.

“What all does anyone need? Seems like this chain s%+# and this dagger are of a finer quality and could be useful. Whatever we don’t take we could always store it in the carriage so it won’t keeps us weighed down in this snow. How far back was the carriage?”

“If no one takes it I would take the dagger and one of the crossbows with a few bolts. It seems I did not bring my bow.”

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 +1 vs traps
Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Aid Gavinia: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 <- Looks like she has the lowest fort?

Gavinia casts a spell and her eyes glow slightly as she studies the pile. Detect Magic, but I'm assuming there's nothing fancy just yet.

"I would like the dagger - I have special training in them. I can also carry more if we wish to take this with us - the extra weight won't burden me much more than my armor does. The round trip back to the carriage would cost us about an hour, by my reckoning, so we should press on if we are not stopping."

I have Weapon Focus in daggers, and warpriest means I'm currently doing 1d6 damage with them.
I'm in medium armor and my ACP with armor and shield is already -6, I've got a +1 DEX mod, so the only thing I'd lose from carrying a heavy load is that my run multiplier would be x3 instead of x4. And we can't run in the snow anyway. So I can carry another 133 pounds without it affecting anything.

I think we might be fine with one more encounter today, if we are careful. We've got no healing, but we are at full health.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 4 = 7 snow penalty
Fortutide: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 5 = 18 cold weather gear
Survival Aid Yukiharu: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Yukiharu also only has +2 base fort

Gavinia does not detect any magical auras.

I don't think I need any of those supplies, thank you.

Morde watches as the others search through the belongings found under the chest. " I prefer to travel light. Greed has brought down many of my Order..... " That's not you, you fool...…. shut it..... Lost in his thoughts Morde does not help anyone. shuffling in the cold, Morde pulls up his cloak tighter around him.

Per: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Cold: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

“The dagger is yours. And if you are able to carry everything and save us time that would be amazing. There is much about your race that I need to learn.”

Ugh, I didn’t see Yukiharu’s saves...

"Rrgrrr. Let me see that chain shirt, it looks much nicer than mine." Garrasay pulls off his worn chain and squeezes into the one recovered from under the chest. It is a tight fit, but it works. He casually tosses his old shirt into the pile with the rest of the stuff

Garrasay will take the MW chain shirt.

"I agree with Gavinia, we can return for this after we have liberated the Lady."

Fort: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 5 = 21
Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

hah, I didn't actually think of picking this stuff up on the way back.
Anyway, I did some calcs and I'd have to leave behind the spears, the shields, a couple of sets of leather and studded leather and the chest.
We can also put everything in the chest and two of us could carry it between us. That'd be best to do on the way out.

At this point, I will definitely take Garrasay's old chain shirt, the MW dagger, a longsword, 2 crossbows, 15 bolts (assuming Steinolf takes 10). I don't think anyone's actually going to come and pinch this stuff, but may as well take some stuff now.

I don't think we have any reason to believe there were any captured guards, so there's no point in taking any other mundane stuff further into the forest.

---

Gavinia picks through the pile. "Yes, it may be more prudent to retrieve these things when we return with the lady. It might be possible to make some sort of sled from the shields." She thoughtfully tries skimming one of the shields over the snow. "But better to wait until there is less urgency. If the lady no longer needs them, I am sure the town could make use of them."

Yukiharu Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 & Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The location is The Border Wood - Trail 6:00 pm - current moon cycle: new moon

The cold chill seems to be getting to Yukiharu and you will take 1d6 ⇒ 5 non-lethal damage. Subtract any cold resistance you may have. If you’re immune, you take no damage.

Steinolf, Gavinia, Mordred & Garrasy was able to resist the cold for now.

The party has been traveling for about half an hour slowly as the snow continues to fall non-stop. You seem to be following a trail and the wooded area is thicker. When your vision allows it, the party sees feathered bundles and strange fetishes hanging from the lowest branches of the trees in this part of the forest, swaying and shifting in the wind. All are stuck through with small pins holding pieces of leather bound around them. The feathered fetishes are actually the frozen corpses of dead crows, pierced with tiny arrows.

A dozen tiny lights start to light up in all directions as if they were glow bugs. Each light slightly moving within the thick trees to the left and right of the trail. Suddenly three tiny arrows come flying out from different directions towards the party, barely visible by the falling snow. You can not see the creatures that these arrows come from. This will require a perception while in rounds to try and pinpoint their location due to high stealth. This costs a move action.

Unfortunately none of you were able to get a high enough perception to prevent this ambush.

Initiative:
Steinolf Stone 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Garrasy 1d20 ⇒ 12
Gavinia Hornsten 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Yukiharu 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Mordred 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
creatures 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

You are being ambushed and there will be a surprise round. All three creatures will be able to act.

Keep in mind, if you don’t see them you don’t know where they are because there are dozens of lights and it could be any of them. If you spend a move action to perception, I’ll get your answer to you asap so you can continue your turn.

Creature 1 fires an arrow at Gavinia FF AC 19
Shortbow Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 221d2 ⇒ 2 x3/20 piercing damage
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Fail, you are staggered for 1 round.

Creature 2 fires an arrow at Steinolf FF AC 15
Shortbow Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d2 ⇒ 1 x3/20 piercing damage
Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Succeed, you are not staggered.

Creature 3 fires an arrow at Garrasy FF AC 16
Shortbow Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 111d2 ⇒ 1 x3/20 piercing damage
Miss

All the lights shift and move around to different spots.

First up, Yukiharu!

Yukiharu delays their action until after Garrasay.

Creature 1 fires an arrow at Gavinia FF AC 19
Shortbow Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d2 ⇒ 2 x3/20 piercing damage
Hits
You are still staggered from the surprise round.

Creature 2 fires an arrow at Steinolf FF AC 15
Shortbow Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 51d2 ⇒ 2 x3/20 piercing damage
Miss

Creature 3 fires an arrow at Garrasy FF AC 16
Shortbow Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d2 ⇒ 1 x3/20 piercing damage
Hits
Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Succeed, you are not staggered.

All the lights shift and move around to different spots.

Up next, Steinolf Stone!

“Come out and fight you cowards!!!”

Looking around Steinolf tries to locate whatever is shooting at the party.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 <- snow, everywhere.

Not exactly sure where the shots are coming from Steinolf stands defensively.

With that perception, Steinolf sees one of the creatures. A diminutive looking blue fairy. Unfortunately you do not have the knowledge to identify this creature. green target, only you can see atm

On Gavinia's turn:

"Alseta grant me protection," Gavinia intones shakily, as she tries to clear her head. A glow briefly shimmers around her as the blessing takes effect.

Minor Protection Blessing, +1 sacred bonus to my AC and saves for 1 minute

If able Steinolf will move towards the blue fairy creature shield and sword at the ready.. “There you are!” Pointing towards the tree with his sword. “There’s one in this tree over here. Come here little guy, lets talk!”

Up next, Mordred.

Morde sees several small arrows come out of the woods. Immediately he gives a shout at Yuki seeing him pause in the face of battle, "Move, or else your going to die here you fool!" nudging him a little out of the way.

With that Morde tries to spot where all the creatures are.
Perception: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (20) - 3 = 17

I believe you said it is still snowing right? -4 perception, also if they are evil fey I get a +2 damage.

Seeing some of the little critters, Morde gives a shout "Damn Fey" before double moving in the thick snow to where one of them are. (the closest)

Shaking from a mix of the freezing cold and the undead from earlier, the energy shown earlier was heavily dampened. At the sound of Fey dancing around, with his hands bundling his clothes closer with a tight grip on his crossbow, he eagerly looks around to catch a look at the flying tiny creatures.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 4 = -1

It costs a move action to see a stealthed target. So you can't double move but I don't think you'll need to.

Morde you can see 2 creatures with that perception. Green and Purple. What square do you move to. Remember it is difficult terrain.

to purple please then.