Reign of Winter (Inactive)

Game Master Just a Mort

Just for a FYI, the lying part was for it not knowing where the bandits were.

Just for a FYI, the lying part was for it not knowing where the bandits were.

that is still something that Einar would not know, right?

I don't know honestly. Because rightly by timeline, Crummock would know which statement was untrue, and that could be interpreted either way, that Luke only got in to post at that time, or he deliberately wanted you to believe that whatever it was was lying, whether it was lying to you or not. Does that sound complicated?

I don't know honestly. Because rightly by timeline, Crummock would know which statement was untrue, and that could be interpreted either way, that Luke only got in to post at that time, or he deliberately wanted you to believe that whatever it was was lying, whether it was lying to you or not. Does that sound complicated?

yes, yes it does, Just waiting for someone to say it's time to move on... of course the stag might be good eating is it's not sentient ;)

As far as Crummock is concerned, he isn't trying to deliberately mislead Einar... but if he is fairly certain that he has caught the creature in *one* lie, he feels that it is reasonable to assume that it is lying about other stuff, as well...

'Do we do something about it?' Einar looks from Crummock to Cadence to Mister Whiskers, asking quietly, "Does it matter? Are vee going to shtop it, now zat it is leaving? Or Shall vee continue following zee tracks?" Einar looks carefully in the direction of the "Stag" one more time, attempting to make sure that the larger beast and any potential smaller beasts are actually leaving.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Suggest you wait for the rest before deciding what to do with it. It definitely did lie to you at least once.

"I don't trust it, but that doesn't mean we must kill it. Did anyone get a good look at the creature directing the stag? It wasn't the stag talking, which was the first indication that something was wrong. Nivean was upset by it, which makes me distrust it more." Mr. Whiskers whispers as he watches it trot off.

"I think we need to be careful of what we say. It probably got more useful information from us that we got from it."

Something about this did not add up. Cadence totals up the others doubts with her own.

"Wie schnell können Sie es schlafen?" She raises an eyebrow as she looks to Mr. Whiskers.

"Fine, I lied the firsssst time, but how would you not if ssssssomeone holdssss thessse landssss in an icy grip? One hassss bessssst know who not to offend..." The voice sounds hurt by Crummock's acussations.

Mr. Whiskers calls out to the creature "Do you know how they are causing it to be winter here?"

In a much softer voice, he answers Cadence "Ich vermute, wenn ich es versuchte, würde der Hirsch es aus den Augen tragen, bevor ich den Zauber beendet hatte."

As Cadence begins to sing, the stag does not dance, but Einar notices something twitch on the back of the stag(Almost like a white mop of hair).

”You would…negotiate with the fey over the winter? Then you’re either braver or more foolish then I thought.” There is a sigh coming from the stag. ”What you ssssseek liesssss to the sssssouth of Lake Taermain.”

I wisssssh you well, but I cannot tarry in thessssse landssss any longer. “The white stag looks backwards as it is expecting to be hunted at any moment.

it was leaving right? do you mean hunted by us or someone else?

"There issss a portal in the woodsss."Then the stag bounds off, as if it had said too much.

30 mins later, following the trail

With the sustained wintry weather over the past several days, a small stream called Wishbone Creek has frozen over.

A human-sized snowman stands in the middle of the trail before a frozen stream. A crude wooden sign leans against it and bears the words “Trespassers Turn Back.”

As the party gets closer, the snowman seems to come to life and speaks, "Can’t you read? The sign says turn back! Now get lost!”

"The sign says trespassers turn back. We are supposed to be here, so it obviously doesn't apply to us!" Mr. Whiskers quickly responds.

Not sure if that should be bluff or diplomacy. The town did tell us to come here, so it is true that we aren't trespassing.

Early

"A portal? That makes sense." Where else were all the fey and cold coming from? As the Stag bounds off, she decides to let it go and waves. It had been helpful after its own fashion. "Thank you, Stag!"

Now

"We could change the sign to something friendlier, if you like. Maybe give it some cheery song lyrics or a joke? It must be lonely just turning people away like this."

earlier
'Well it left, I guess were not going to eat it. Cadence is right, a portal would make sense.' Nodding his head in agreement with Cadence, Einar continues on the way. As he takes point, he compliments Cadence. "Your song vas lovely, vas it totally impromptu or do you prepare melodies and rhyming patterns for just such an occasion?" realizing that a speaking stag is no occasion anyone expects, he pulls on his collar and adds "I mean zee occasion to be impromptu, not zee talking animal, ya."

now
'A talking snow man, what will be next? Hopefully bandits with a lady to rescue, so we can collect a reward.' Einar, having kept his sling in one hand and his glaive in the other; shifts so he can use either and looks around carefully while the others talk, not trusting the snowman or any hidden 'speakers.'

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Earlier

"Not all the songs are impromptu, just most of them. Sometimes when an occasion comes up, the song just falls into place." She smiles up at Einar. "I'm glad you liked the music, because you're going to hear me sing alot. Maybe you can help me compose some songs for later, once we get through this?"

Its perfectly safe! Nice snowman in the middle of the woods...what could possibly go wrong!The snowman does not respond further.

Mr Whiskers spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

The talking snowman was due to a preprogrammed magic mouth spell.

Mr Whiskers fires up a detect magic, finding that the snowman radiates an aura of evocation magic. "It would be wise to give the snowman a wide berth. " And so the party makes a detour around the snowman

Einar feels a twitch in the bag he was carrying the captured fey in. Then the twitch stops.

After crossing the river

The legs and feet of a frozen corpse jut from a pile of snow next to the trees here. Cadence recognizes it as Old Man Dansby, a farmer from Heldren. On the body there is a mw composite longbow (+1 Str) with 12 arrows; a dagger; a handaxe; and a pouch containing 14 gp, 25 sp, and 18 cp.

30 min later

The trail begins to climb a ridgeline to the south beneath snow-laden trees. The prints of boots and horses mar the freshly fallen snow on the trail. The party spots 3 men in mismatched armor quarelling over who should get an ornate gold cup with Taldan heraldry on it.

random encounter?: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Old Man Dansby

"If we survive this, we will have to come back for the body. It needs a proper burial."

Trail where we see looters arguing over treasure

Mr. Whiskers whispers "Do we try to sneak up on them for our own ambush? Otherwise I could try to sleep them, but if I don't get them all it would be trouble."

"Thats mine, Yates!"One man exclaims, while taking the cup. "No, thats MINE, Yael!"The second man cries out, while trying to snatch the cup away Yael. The cup tumbles onto the snow, into the hands of a scraggly haired woman who grabs at it greedily while saying, "My precioussssss"

Then the two men realize that the cup is no longer with them, and with the woman instead. "Hey! Thats OURS!" They yell indignantly.

earlier
'help her compose, that would not be wise.' Hearing Cadence's idea about helping to compose, Einar's eyes widen a little, but he smiles slightly and moves forward.

at the snowman: didn't realize that we had decided to keep the fey, Einar would have tied it up, after stabilizing it, no one wants a rotted fey in their rucksack.
'What is that fey up to?' Feeling a disturbance in the force rucksack, Einar stops, "Hold please, Zee captured fee is tvitching." He then takes off his rucksack, removing the back that he tied the fey in.

at Dansby's body
'Someone that we know, or Cadence knows, we should return the goods to his family.' Nodding in agreement with Mister Whiskers, Einar chimes it. "ya, ven vee bring zee Dame back vee shall collect za body." Looking at Cadence he asks, "Since you knew him, vould you vant to use his bow?"

At the three arguers
What is this?' Einar drops to his knees as he holds his fist up at shoulder height. Watching the three arguers, very carefully, he asks his companions. "Are zay Highvaymen?"
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Yeah they're pretty banditty. You guys wanna sneaky sneaky? Or just go in guns blazing?

Upon examination of the fey, it seems it tried to wiggle free of the bindings but passed out on the exertion. A little quick stabilization has prevented matters from getting out of hand, though.

Subtlety not really being Crummock's strong suite, he charges forward, letting out an incomprehensible battle cry!

Actually, just a single 'surprise round' move ;-)

Cadence Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Einar Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Mr Whiskers Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Crummock Init: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11
Bandits: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Mr Whiskers, Cadence, Bandits, Einar, Crummock

Well, I guess yelling and charging answers my question. There are only three of them and it seems that Crummock wants a fight. Einar probably does too.

Mr. Whiskers struggles to run forward through the snow. I really need to get some skis, it would be so much easier!

Double move.

Old man Dansby

Cadence kneels beside the corpse and sadly closes his eyes.

Did he get lost in the winter storm? He died so close to home, frozen and all alone.

"I think you should take the bow for now, Einar. You're probably the better shot." She looks up at the others with tears in her eyes. "I think that his wife would like these items back, but she won't mind us using them for now."

Now

It angers her, watching these bandits argue over loot while her village suffers. Will they pick over the loot from burned farmhouses once they're done playing with the Lady Argentaea's baubles? She thinks of George and Freya's scared little faces, and she clenches her guisarme. Cadence sings, but she doesn't need the song to feel rage. She moves forward and brings her guisarme up ready for attacks of opportunity should the group come to them.

Red hair blowing in the wind, she looks like an avenging valkyrie.

♫ This is for old man Dansby
A farmer from Heldren town
He rigged repairs with whatever was handy
He never let his neighbors down

Surrender right now, I'm in a killing mood
Surrender before I cut you down cold
Because I'm in the mood to take you and your brood
So drop your weapons and do what you're told! ♫

She gestures angrily to the cup.

♫ This is for Lady Argentaea
For all the servants and horses now dead
I'm going to make sure you all pay up
I'm going to put a pike under every last head

Surrender right now, I'm in a killing mood
Surrender before I cut you down cold
Because I'm in the mood to take you and your brood
So drop your weapons and do what you're told! ♫

___
Raging Song: +2 to str+con. +1 will. -1 AC.

The bandits look shocked for a moment after hearing Crummocks warcry and Cadence's song, then they get their act together.

"You talk alot for a little girl." Yates gives Cadence an ugly sneer. "Fire and don't let em close in!"He hollers. "Scatter, we'll meet at the lodge!"

The bandits draw their shortbows as they retreat, sending 3 arrows at Cadence. One of the arrows hits Cadence in her knee.

bow: 1d20 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) - 2 - 4 = -2
bow: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0
bow: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"Nailed her, boss."One of the bandits chortles gleefully.

So all the bandits have BAB +1 or better? Can only do a combined move and draw weapon if you do. Otherwise drawing the weapon is a move action.

I wonder just how greedy they really are...

Mr. Whiskers shouts out "Good job! You've caused the cowards to abandon their treasure!"

I checked, they do.

curious, I thought that Einar was on point, but he is 20 ft back from point. Did just Crummock charge or did everyone move forward?

Edit: I see Mister Whiskers double moved also, so where is everyone on the map I don't want to shoot the wrong people.

Everyone moved forward.Just shoot at anyone who isn't your teammate lol!

Before
Einar nods his head and solemnly accepts the bow from his friend, ”I vill look after it until vee return it to seine Familie.”

The Highwaymen er Highwaypersons, there was a female also…
’She looks like an avenging Valkrie.’ Distracted by Cadences appearance, it takes a moment for Einar to recognize the white light rage that strikes him, washing over him like cold spring water on a hot summers day. Einar draws the bow of her townsman, taking a bead on the furthest runner and fires.

borrowed rage, if the flag is out please add 1 to both roles; drops glaive, draws bow while moving forward: Attack: fires bow. Sorry Cadence not a great use of the rage but with heavy armor Einar isn’t running anyone down yet.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 for damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Relying on his snowshoes, Crummock hustles forward.

Double move.

Cadence is AOO fishing, so flag is out.

The arrow catches one of them in the chest, and he gives a pained gasp. The wound is clearly pretty severe, and Einar is sure that guy, even though he's still up, won't be running off anytime soon.

You can thank Cadence for flag. You hit their ac right on the dot with the archery penalties.

Cadence moves forward, rage song off.

The wounded bandit tries to tumble away from Crummock.

Acro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

The other two try to pepper arrows at Crummock while retreating, but Crummock easily catches the arrows on his shield.

bow: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
bow: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

I seem to have disappeared from the map...?

Crummock heads after one of the uninjured bandits.

MW Cold Iron Starknife: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20, for 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9 damage.

I see you perfectly fine. You need a refresh I think.

Crummock slashes open their leaders throat, and he tumbles to the snow.

'Crummock has put one on the ground, let me see if I can get another. Ahhh the light leaves, it was still so refreshing. EInar moves south again, drawing a bead on the other highway person, he releases his arrow, seeing it fly over the thieves head, "Verdammt Pfeil"

10 ft move (DT) Attack: Bow, flag
attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7 for damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

I'll just call combat over at this point of time.

Cadence and Mr Whiskers make short work of the remaining wounded bandit, while Crummock, taking advantage of his snowshoes catches up with the other. Seeing no way to outrun her pursuer, and not wanting to share her compatriots fate, the other bandit surrenders.

What does the party want to do with them now?

so one surrenders outright, of the two wounded either dead?

Cadence's Guisarme dmg: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

stabilise: 1d20 - 10 ⇒ (1) - 10 = -9
stabilize: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

The wounded bandit gets his throat slit by Cadence and bleeds out almost immediately. Their leader is stable.

The wounded bandit gets his throat slit by Cadence and bleeds out almost immediately. Their leader is stable.

'I know she wanted justice, but I did not expect that.' Einar walks over to Crummocks prisoner, shrugging over his shoulder, where Cadence had just finished the first one off. "Do you vant to tell me vat happened, or vould you prefer to speak to Mein Freund mit dem Guisarme?'

"What do you want to know? I'll talk, I'll say anything, please just let me go!I don't want to talk to your friend with the guisarme, she freakin beheaded Yael with a single blow!" She pleads.

On each of them: padded armor, buckler, short sword, shortbow with 20 arrows, 8 gp, 5 sp

'Well lets see what she will tell us in general and then get specific.' Einar returns the longbow to it's case by the quiver, making sure as he talks he recovers his glaive. "There were two carriages hit by professionals, tell us about it."

"Ok, we were told to hit the carriage, grab the lady and her loot, then our boss would get the lion's share, after that we'd split the rest. Still the lady is rich, its easy pickings, much more then you'd ever see grubbing dirt. Well, until you meddling adventurers came." She looks at her feet."Will you let me go now?" She asks Einar hopefully.

'Oh child, no one said anything about letting anyone go now did they?' Einar smiles and begins to collect the arrows from the three thieves quivers and placing them in his own. "Zere are a few more qvestions, ya." As he tucks one of the shortswords into the back of his belt, he continues. "Tell us about zee person who told you to, how did you say, "Hit zee Carriages" ya."