Reign of Winter (Inactive)

Game Master Just a Mort

Earlier
Ziva persuades Vernai to let Hatch wrap her claws in bedsheets.

"Pah, see how puny that human girl is? She even brings her pet insect along to a duel."Hestrig scoffs. "I'll take them both together!" Hestrig boasts.

Hestrig utters a few guttural sounding syllables. A dark blue force field surrounds her (Mage armor). Then her weapon shimmers with the same blue glow.(Magic weapon). She then gives a growl and swells to twice her size(Enlarge person).

Ziva+Vernai init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Hestrig init: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Hestrig swings her padded great sword in a might arc, trying to thwack both Ziva and Vernai at the same time.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

And basically swots air.

Ziva, yours

Earlier:

Something finally clicks for Crummock when the woman mentions that the dragon was her grandfather.

"Not that I be wantin' to stop this bout o' fisticuffs ('cause I really, really don't), but how do ye justify workin' for the daughter o' the one responsible for murderin' your Grandpappy? Surely, if you take your heritage and honor that seriously, you should be wantin' to see the witches' heads on some pikes, to avenge his death..."

'Crud, I should have found out where the ale was kept before they started, of course after these two are done playing we will still have to finish destroying the porthole. I wonder if that will make Hestrig fight for real.' Grabbing a chair from the dining room Einar, following Hatch, drags it through the hallway to where the woman are going to fight.

'Oh, don't talk them out of it now! Use that silver tongue of yours when their done.' hearing Crummocks comment, Einar flinches inside, silently trying to get Crummocks attention to be quiet.

Ziva is funny, but Hestrig has some serious magic, at least she is using it up now, so she won't have it later if we need to fight for real. Of course neither will Ziva. Smiling as Ziva continues to taunt the northern captain Einar watches the two get ready and begin fighting with great interest. "Ohhh" Flinching a little when the great swing from Hestrig's enlarged sword easily misses both Ziva and her pet.

Instead of flanking north and south, can I attempt a flank east and west? Also just realized that this non lethal penalty means that Vernai probably has a 1% shot at hitting and is probably useless. Is there still a -4 penalty for grapple attempts? (since it doesn't actually deal damage)

Vernai and Ziva take the total defense action and move into tactical positions.

"I...yes. But I also know I'm not powerful enough to take them on. I was hoping to learn what I could about them...their strengths, their weaknesses...it was in this library I discovered my true heritage. And it holds the secrets to unlocking the dragon I am, inside." She admits, indecision in her eyes.

East and west is fine. Don't worry so much about your attacks, Hestrig's AC sucks(looking at 13-15 here, depending if she cleavss oe not). Grab won't work because of size difference.

Not Grab, regular grapple.

Anyway I think I need her attack now before I can make my move, unless I'm allowed to recant my total defence action before now that I know I can flank.

Hestrig tries to smack Ziva as she moves out of the way.

SMACK: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

dmg if hits: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2, 4) + 6 = 16

Regular grapple no penalty. Feel free to roll your attack if you want to recant your total defense. But I think Hestrig hits you if so.

Finding herself neatly flanked, Hestrig focuses on a more defensive approach, using her swing to drive Ziva back.Just gained 4 shield ac, for half damage

smack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

This time the greatsword clanks harmlessly off Ziva's magically hardened hide.

"Well then, perhaps once this little matter o' the anrhydedd duel is settled, we can discuss tactegau to achieve just that - after all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend... and we definitely want to see these particular gwrachod gaeaf brought low."

Crummock then retreats into the background to watch the battle unfold.

I think she hits me either way
15HP

Ziva retaliates with a slashing attack.

1d20 + 10 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 4 + 4 = 28
Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) + 7 = 14

Meanwhile, Vernai closes in, attempting a grapple attack

Grapple: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 28

I win

The greatsword thwacks soundly against ribs and Hestrig gives a pained yelp and winces. Vernai then flies and wraps her claws around her arms.

Being unable to use her greatsword, she growls at Ziva," Damn you and your cheating pet and its dirty tricks!"Her eyes glow with icy rage. Her sword drops out of her hands, and her hands transform into claws. "I told you I was the descendent of a dragon, right? Luckily, for you, like dragons, I fight honorably."

She then attempts to slam Ziva with her claws, which fail to penetrate Ziva's chain shirt.

claw non lethal: 1d20 ⇒ 3
claw non lethal: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Ziva smirks at the guard captain. "What happened to the pet insect you were so dismissive about?" she taunts, before striking again with her sword.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 4 - 4 = 11
Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 7 = 19

Meanwhile, Vernai attempts to pin the guard captain down.

Pin Attempt: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 4 = 33

"Just like your ancestor, weak and immobile" the huntress gloats.

Ziva's sword clatters off her mage shield, but Vernai tightens the hold and drags her to the floor.

"Fine, I concede. I'll tell the world you get your Mantis to do the fighting for you." She grumbles. "Now will you call that dead weight off me?"

Crummock moves over to the woman and nods.

"Right. Now that that be settled, mayhaps we can be talkin' about getting rid o' the witches...?"

Ziva remains highly amused by this turn of events. "Isn't this hilarious, Vernai's my pet, and now you're Vernai's pet"

Being a practical sort of fighter, Ziva kicks her opponents weapon further away from her before leaning down. "Say that you were wrong to challenge me in the first place, and that you don't challenge me again, then I'll ask Vernai if she wants to let you go."

I'm assuming that an option to concede was also in her rules - otherwise technically in the spirit of the contest I'd have to smack her unconscious before she "loses".

Anyway I stayed up late to finish this, I might crash since now the party should be free to post as required.

Crummock raises an eyebrow, but doesn't comment.

Technically, you *did* provoke her, so her challenge was *technically* justified ;-)

"Oh Yeah, said the person who gets her pet insect to do her fighting for her." Hestrig quips sarcastically."At least I fight my own battles." She gives an agrrieved huff.

Nadya gives hoots and catcalls to see Hestrig brought low.

Well that was a bit anticlimactic.' Standing from his chair, Einar claps slowly three times and asks, "yes can vee decide if Hestrig is for us or against us so vee can finish clearing out zis building und shutting down zee porthole."

Oh absolutely Crummock! Ziva is being what we would call. A "bad winner".

"Its perfectly fine darling, your insults no longer affect me, I'm secure in the knowledge that I won, and you lost. Now you can keep using that smart mouth and spend the rest of the day on your knees - or you can accept my dominance, promise not to challenge me again, and you get to be vertical. Whatever way you want it."

Shes no longer abusing her heritage though, still has some standards left.

Drops could be interpreted as drop to the floor

"I was wrong to challenge you in the first place, but you were also wrong to insult my grandfather. I won't challenge you again, if thats what you want."She growls from the floor.

"Enough of that. Hestrig's conceded, and as the umpire, I declare this match over, and victory to Ziva and Vernai!" As he grabs Ziva's hand and one of Vernai's claws, Hestrig rolls out from underneath, grumbling under her breath.

She brushes herself off, then goes back into the library with Crummock. "What you want is here - it says winter witches winter witches share a bloodline with the Jadwiga descended from Baba Yaga. Those who descend from the current Queen of Irrisen have higher political positions as opposed to those descended from the previous Queen. Every 100 years, Baba Yaga comes to claim her daughter that she places on the throne of Irrisen as queen, and replaces her with another daughter. The winter witches, perhaps by bloodline or training, have affinity with ice magic. The less powerful of them are merely resistant to cold. The more powerful of them, immune. Often they also are excellent crafters and are capable of making powerful wands and staves." She reads a passage out of a book labelled, "An introduction to Irrisen's ruling structure."

"If you intend to be tangling with Radosek, I will take my leave. I do not care to be involved in matters between both sides. I will pick my battles, when I'm ready."

Stepping away from the chair he was sitting in Einar asks, "Before you take your leave could you tell us abour zee one called Mierul. We have her tied und unconscious in za other room. Vee know she is a bard und half fey half demon, also zat she is a spy for Radosek. Vee need to know if she is," He stops to think for a moment, then comes upon his wording, "Honorable, if she gives her vord can vee believe her? In short I am asking if it vas a mishtake to let her live."

"Don't really know. Haven't seen her much, but again if you say she's a bard, wouldn't be expecting to. Especially since I hole myself up in the library most of the time. And bards travel. Since I've never really cared to talk to her, I really can't say anything about her character." Hestrig answers bluntly. "Now which books do I want to pack..."She starts eyeing the shelves speculatively.

Mr. Whiskers had retreated into the library, focusing on the section of shelves that Hestrig pointed out to him.

He smiles when he sees both Hestrig and Ziva still alive.

In response to discovering her bloodline

"I don't know if there is a copy of the book here, but there is a gnome who wrote a tome called Realizing Your Ancestry which has a complete discourse on magical bloodlines and methods for activating them. Sorry, I don't recall the author's name. Like most gnome names, it was long and complex." Mr. Whiskers advises Hestrig.

He quickly admits "I went a different direction with my study of magic. Most of my folk are much more interested in avoiding dragons, so it is unlikely mine would be as powerful as yours. Still, some have theorized that the ability to work magic requires some distant connection."

If she wants, Mr. Whiskers would help her pick out books focusing on the books that would be harder to find and best related to her area of interest.

I figure with his Kn: Arcana he should know a fair about about what sources are good.

Crummock shrugs.

"Well then, best of luck in choosing your own battles."

He then turns to the others.

"Shall we head upstairs? I have the pass-phrase, and a crystal that allows access to the top level."

Mr. Whiskers quickly grabs the two books he thinks will be most useful in closing the portal, and then cheerfully waves goodbye to Hestrig. "I hope you find what you are looking for. As for why the Winter Witches may have slain Auburphex, it may be something as simple as they couldn't control the dragon."

"They seem the type to destroy anything they can't control." Mr. Whiskers sadly notes.

He then follows the others.

Almost as an afterthought, Crummock pulls out a wand, and heals himself and Ziva.

Ziva:

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5.

Crummock:

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7.

A translucent image of a globe hangs suspended in midair,slowly rotating in place, above a summoning circle in the blue-tiled floor of this large chamber.Lines of arcane energy glow across the globe's surface, faintly humming with power as they connect multiple endpoints in a radiant glow bright enough to illuminate the domed ceiling overhead. Many tables and shelves covered in books, maps, and large scrolls line the room's circular walls, and a large ornate mirror hangs between two open windows to the west. Twin ice sculptures of demonic fiends flank a bubbling cauldron in an archway leading to a deep alcove in the southern wall.

Ziva and Mantis Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Einar Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Mr Whiskers Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Crummock Init: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6
Radosek init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Hommelstaub init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

A Taldan man with shoulder length wavy hair stands next to the cauldron in the aclove, twirling his moustache. He addresses Crummock menancingly, "So, you are the adventurers who slew Teb and now come and challenge me in my domain?"

30 feet in the air, Crummock sees the atomie that got away, glowering at Crummock.

"Master - ez egy csúnya. Azt mondta, egy csúnya szót, és Jir és Vyn esett az égből." Hommelstaub points at Crummock. "És van egy csúnya tigris is."

"Majd véget neki. Ne hagyd, hogy szakítsa meg az én spellcasting." Radosek replies.

Round 1: Hommelstaub, Radosek, Crummock
Round 2: Hommelstaub, Radosek, Crummock, Einar

A white goat comes over and attempts to trip Crummock.

tangling horns?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Hommelstaub flies down 5 ft, and aims a glowing blue sling bullet at Crummock.

Radosek begins chanting an arcane incantation.

No spellcraft, no identifying for you.

Crummock stands up, and stabs the goat.

MW Cold Iron Starknife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24, for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage.

Leastways, I assume I was tripped ;-)

Yeah, some goat got your goat. But you got goat too! The goat tries to stick Cumnock a good one as he stands up, and gets him in the knee.

gore: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Come, my stormtroopersservants of ice and snow, show this insolent upstart the true meaning of cold death." Radosek proclaims as he raises his hands in a grand gesture.

lots of elementals: 2d3 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

"Vladstoi, tettél a része a legtöbb kitűnően. Vissza húzni!"He calls out to the white goat, and the goat retreats.Withdraw

"Hommelstaub, megidézi sasok Harry őket!" He points at the atomie. Hommelstaub vanishes.

Then his eyes glow white as he rises from the floor, as if buoyed by spectral winds.

Let me grab those elementals, then roll their attacks, I'm on phone

Radosek is now 30ft in zee air

The small ice elememtals pound on Crummock.

PA, flanking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
PA, flanking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
cold: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Crummock fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Crummock fights off the icy chill of the elemental's slam.

Crummock and Einar up

Crummock steps out of the flank, and stabs at the elemental that hit him.

MW Cold Iron Starknife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27, for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 damage.

@Einar: 5', rage, and full attack with bite/claw/claw sounds like a good idea to me :-)

Crummock sticks a hole in its chest but it still stays up.

Repeating the pass phrase ”Onwards, upwards in a tick. Don’t be late, just be quick.” Einar steps into the teleporter and finds himself in the room, Hammer in hand Einar begins to rage, becoming the size a giant. calls up his demonic heritage; his body tranforms to the size of a small giant. His ankles and feet shift becoming more animal like, his hands also grew larger with talons, now appearing as claws, his maw extended and his eyes grew red, his small black horns became more prominent as his skin went from pale to shiny, emphasizing and enlarging the scales. Causing his Cambion ancestry to become very prominent. As he lets out a roar, ”Aaauuurrrggghhh.”

Seeing the situation quickly, Einar steps away from the elemental and swings his hammer at the floating man.

I think a 5 ft step works here, if not a move action. Enlarged, AC 17 Attack: MW Lucern Hammer, rage, power attack
attack: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 - 2 = 14 for damage: 3d6 + 10 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) + 10 + 6 = 27

@Einar: 5', rage, and full attack with bite/claw/claw sounds like a good idea to me :-)

sorry Crummock,I had everything typed out and copy and pasted. I didn't see this until now,

@Einar: You can't reach the man, even with a reach weapon - he is 30' up...

@Einar: You can't reach the man, even with a reach weapon - he is 30' up...

I thought we did the math and that he could reach that high?

Einar swings his hammer but does not get enough force behind the swing and it slides off the small ice elemental’s exterior.
Round 3: Ziva, Hommelstaub, Radosek, Crummock, Einar
Ziva comes in her greatsword in a mighty arc, swinging at the elemental between her and Crummock.

Greatsword, flanking: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
dmg: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) + 7 = 22

I’ll rule that full buffs are on(for Ziva), it hasn’t really been that long, but with a 1 minute duration left. Not that it matters for the purposes of this fight.

Radosek points his wand at Crummock, yelling, ”Freeze”, then the elementals attack Crummock.

Reflex Crummock: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
trip attempt on Crummock: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Crummock manages to keep his feet.
Piercing dmg from spell: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
cold dmg from spell: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9
Slam elemental: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
cold damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Slam elemental: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Einar's AOO for moving out of the way: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
dmg: 3d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) + 16 = 29

Einar slams Radosek with a mighty blow as he flies out of the window.

Up above, the party can hear spellcasting from on top of them.

He moved 30' up.
You are 10' tall, and have 10' reach (naturally).
A reach weapon increases your reach by 5'.
So, at present, you can reach 25' up, which is 5' shorter than you need.

He threatens 20 ft with a reach weapon while enlarged.

Thoroughly annoyed, Crummock tries to finish-off the injured elemental.

MW Cold Iron Starknife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16, for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 damage.

Crummock manages to finish off the badly injured elemental, and it shatters.

Also, I sort of needed to be within 35 ft of Crummock to do the wand trick

...Radosek ... flies out of the window.

Up above, the party can hear spellcasting from on top of them.

My assumption is that Einar cannot attack him, and that he is too close to the goat to use the hammer.

'Not enough room to swing the hammer. Seeing Radosek fly out the window, Einar, dropping the hammer, releases his rage on the goat. "I like the taste of goat!" Einar then attacks the goat with tooth and claw.

and anything else left standing he can reach once the goat is done.

Full Attack: maw, claw @ 2, Rage, large (AC 17) Power attack
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for damage: 1d8 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 4 = 15
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 for damage: 1d8 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 4 = 15
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for damage: 1d8 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 4 = 16

Einar does a credible impersonation of a rapid wolverine, ripping out the goat’s throat, then smashing the elemental to bits.

Ziva orders Vernai to fetch Radosek to the party, then delays, waiting for something to whack.

Vernai double moved to go find pesky Winter witches

And I can't find Ziva's ranged weapons!

A fiendish eagle appears to bite and claw at Crummock.
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
dmg on Crummock: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Radosek, not amused with his new friend, attempts to step down from its range, then says something nasty, pointing at Vernai.

fly: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Vernai fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

A dark flim forms over Vernai's eyes. Vernai doesn't seem to be able to see where she's going anymore!

The party hears the sound of spellcasting, from above them.

As Einar steps up to the portal, Mr. Whiskers tells Ziva "Wait for me to wave you forward, and sorry if you need to scrunch down. You're going to be big!"

He then starts casting Enlarge Person, utilizing his powerful change to exceed the normal limitations.

+4 size bonus to Str, -2 size penalty to Dex, -1 penalty to hit and AC
AC 14, great sword +9 (3d6 + 10, 19-20) if I did the conversion correctly

As soon as he finished his spell, he waves Ziva forward.

Crummock, Einar, Mr Whiskers, Ziva, bad guys again

@Mr Whiskers: Ziva already came through enlarged; this time, its your turn to appear!

Crummock grunts in annoyance, and tries to pith the eagle.

MW Cold Iron Starknife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25, for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage.

He then backs himself up against one of the doors.

Crummock pops the Fiendish eagle with a stab of his starknife.