RoW: Let's Thaw the Frozen Stars! (Inactive)

Game Master Daxter

Forgot to account for Rapid Shot in my last two arrows. Each shot should be at -2.

The shot is indeed difficult and the arrows go wide. The bird shrieks and dives towards a spot perhaps a quarter of a mile away.

The party hears a faint howling in the distance, a wolf-cry that sends shivers down the spine of even the toughest warriors. Nadya looks grim at her companions. "It must be Nazhena's Hunters - a vinter wolf and its lackeys."

It would appear that the hunt is on. The question now sticks in the mind of the party: flee like prey, or turn and fight like predators? Kalt judges from the sound the mysterious hunters are perhaps a quarter of a mile away - 5-10 minutes before they arrive, if the party stays in place.

" Flee or Fight?"
Ankih thinks for a moment, then pulls a couple of scrolls from his haversack,
" My personal preference would be to fight. We should test the metal of these 'hunters' of hers anyway..."
As he continues he grabs and loads his crossbow as well.
Then casting one of the scrolls he waits by Nadya with a scroll and crossbow in his lap, his hands holding his Silver dagger and his holy symbol...
Cast mage armor from scroll, AC17 fro 1 hour.

"I agree, Ankih," says Kalt, frustrated that even his last shot was not good enough to take down the hawk. "At least this time we know they're coming, next time they may take us by surprise."

He slips his bow back onto his shoulder and unsheathes his greatsword, then says, "How can we best prepare for this fight? Ankih, can your goddess give me the strength of a bull again when the time comes? Any other preparations we should make?" He turns to Sven and a grim smile crosses his face as he asks, "Ah, like old times, eh? The thunder of hoofs in the distance, trying to count how many they are and guess how many of the new-hired Spears will decide the game's not worth the gold? At least this time we know everyone will stand firm - or they'll be hunted down and eaten by wolves."

You'll have a chance to cast a bulls strength and any other pre-buffs, if you wish.

The howling quickly grows louder as the party steels their nerves and waits on the path for the approaching hunters. After a few nerve-wracking minutes they come into view: easily the largest wolf you have ever laid eyes upon, followed by four men and three falcons. The wolf feet pad softly on the snow for its size, and one can almost mistake its snarling mouth for some sort of wicked grin.

Then, it speaks.

"Grrrr What have we here. Little fools on their way from Waldsby with the troublemaker Nadya, and they have strange smells about them. The smell of snarl blood. Maybe Master Radosek's blood. Take them out, men." The creature snarls and bounds at the party.

Party up!

Kalt will have cast lead blades just as the wolf and company get close, but before combat starts.

Kalt growls in response to the wolf, then says to his companions, "We should stand our ground here, by the trees, so they can't surround us. Let them come to us, then strike." He focuses his attention fiercely on the wolf, then raises his blade and says, "Come and feel how Radosek met his end!"

Activate Ranger's Focus on wolfie, ready action to move forward (5-foot step if possible) and attack with greatsword when he comes close.

+1 Greatsword, Power Attack, Focus, Bull's Str: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 28
+1 Greatsword damage, Lead Blades, Power Attack, Focus, Bull's Str: 3d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) + 7 + 6 + 2 + 2 = 31

Sven clutches his axe tightly and bangs it against the rim of his shield, daring the wolf and his cronies to come closer. "Isson here can't have all the fun. Come on then, you can't all be gelded."

Matching Kalt's gaze and answering him with a nod, Sven mutters back toward his friends. "Hold the line. Don't move an inch until they're upon us."

Total defense.

Avora grips her spear such that her knuckles go white. She says nothing, but her expression makes it plain that she will not relent.

Total defense.

Lana moves behind Kalt and Sven, giving a loud cat-call to the wolf as she does so. Casting doom, Will DC16 or be shaken for 4 minutes. 1st level 1 spell today.

The beast shakes under the power of Lana's spell, its fury checked in part by her magic.

OK. long list of pre-buffs...Ankih had already cast mage armor 1-hour, then he casts bulls str on Kalt from scroll-30 rnds, gravity bow on crossbow from scroll-cast last 10 rnds, Shield of faith on Sven-30rnds, shield of faith on Avora from scroll-30rnds, and guidance on himself- 10 rounds usable once.
Upon hearing that they were indeed staying to fight, Ankih becomes a whirlwind of motion, pulling out scrolls and casting spells on half the party.
Ankih- Mage armor- +4 AC - 1 hour, Gravity Bow 2d6 instead of 1d8 on crossbow- 10 rounds.
Avora- +2 AC- 30rnds give or take a couple
Sven- +2 AC - 30rnds give or take a couple
Kalt- +4 to strength- 30rnds give or take a couple
As they come into view, he sheathes his dagger, and grips his crossbow with both hands.
" I can understand the puppy working for these icy devils, but you are men! May Sarenrae burn your souls."
Aim at one of the humans and fire..
Attack with guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 Adjust as needed for range...
damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Bugsby

Having already protected himself by summoning an impressive suit of magical armor before the wolf and his henchlings arrive, Bugsby waits until the men approach to attack. Once they are close enough for his spell to reach, he tosses a ball of slippery slime at the ground around them, trying to affect as many as possible.

Cast mage armor before baddies arrive. Ready action to cast grease, hoping to include two of the men in the 10-foot square AoE if they get close enough together. DC18 or fall down and be laughed at by Bugsby.

Ankih's shot just pierces the armor of one of the falconer's leg. Nadya unslings her own bow and fires at Ankih's target, but her shot goes wide.

Two of the men, caught in the Bugsby's grease, manage to keep their feet.

The white wolf howls in battle lust and bounds towards the waiting warriors. Yet he is a clever foe; the wolf stops short 10' and unleashes a blast of a most bitter and hateful cold from his jaws. He growls in pleasure at his own cleverness.

A hail of arrows mostly bounces off the armor of Sven and Kalt, but one wounds Sven. Their falcons circle at the edges, looking for a moment of opportunity.

I think Sven's AC is up to 27 at the moment due to total defense and shield of faith. Also, I believe Kalt's readied action goes off, doesn't it?

Lana inhales sharply at the fury released by their enemies. Got to help... Even though her muscles cry out against her, she lets out a deep breath and tries to relax as she opens her spirit to Kalt again. The familiar brush of contact helps to calm her nerves, even though she knows that in a moment the pain will begin.

Life Link on Kalt.

Avora grips the haft of her spear tightly and prepares for the worst. Total defense.

My mistake on the AC. The arrow misses Sven, but the wolf stopped 10' away from Kalt (too far for the readied action to go off). The breathe is a 15' foot cone. He's welcome to keep the roll on his next attack, though.

On the map it looks like he can just 5' step forward (which you can do as part of a readied action) and hit the wolf; am I seeing that incorrectly?

Clearly needs grid lines :). Sorry, I was in a rush when I made the map. I can fix it maybe tonight. The white wolf is 10' away

Okies.

Reflex save, DC17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Ouchies...

Kalt is so focused on hitting their foe hard when it approaches that he is cuaght completely unawares by the blast of icy breath. He stands in stinging pain from it a moment, then shakes his head and when the blast of cold clears, the grim smile on his face has only grown broader. Seeing that the hunters are all staying back with their bows, Kalt closes the distance with the wolf and strikes it hard with his great blade.

+1 Greatsword, Power Attack, Focus, Bull's Str: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 26
+1 Greatsword damage, Lead Blades, Power Attack, Focus, Bulls Str: 3d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) + 7 + 6 + 2 + 2 = 24

Status: 28/46 hp (20 damage from breath weapon minus cold resistance 2)

Quickly reloading his crossbow Ankih tries to hit the Falconer again.
crossbow attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
Startled by the Icy blast he fumbles his shot alarmingly.

Kalt's blade bites deeply into the flesh of the Winter Wolf. It howls in anger and pain and reflexively bites the air at the warrior.

Meanwhile, the brave Nadya takes another shot at an opposing archer. Her aim is yet again spoiled by their quick movements.

Sven's actions

reflex save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 10 cold damage then. Current HP's 38, current AC23

" You won't be catchin' us in that cold all together again!"
Sven assures the Icy Wolf as he moves out of reach, heading towards the other side of the Winter creature, cutting in at the last second to swing his axe.
Battle axe: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Bugsby

Bugsby hurries forward and barks an arcane command, then sends a ball of acid flying toward the wolf with a nice underhanded toss.

Ranged Touch (in combat): 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 4 = 13
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

The Ulfen man's aim is slightly off, while the spell just barely misses the wolf.

Ignoring his other foes, the wolf snaps at the fey-blooded; yet shaken and bleeding the wolf only finds air between his teeth.

Another salvo of arrows issue forth from the wolfs lackey's, but the divine protections of Lana save the warrior from harm.

Meanwhile, birds descend and begin to harry the heroes, but only Avora is distracted by the fluttering creature in her face. Shaken, 1 round

Nadya takes another shot - and this time her aim is true, her arrow sticking into the body of one of the humans.

Err... ? divine protections of Lana?

Kalt once again raises his mighty blade and brings it crashing down on the wounded winter wolf, saying, "Let's see more of your damn frozen blood on the snow, beast!"

+1 Greatsword, Power Attack, Focus, Bull's Str, Flank: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 28
+1 Greatsword damage, Lead Blades, Power Attack, Focus, Bull's Str: 3d6 + 7 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5, 5) + 7 + 6 + 2 + 2 = 31 Yippee!

Err... ? divine protections of Lana?

...divine protection of Lana Ankih.

Kalt lands a mighty blow, but although the beast is gravely wounded it still appears as vicious as ever.

Ducking away from the falcon, Ankih reloads his crossbow and fires again at the Falconeer.
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9
5' step move:reload, std:attack.
Man Dice roller hates me!!! wasting my gravity bow spell with all these misses. oh. well.

Kalt heals 5, Lana takes 5.

Lana swats at the bird in an annoyed fashion, then steps away and focuses on extending her spirit to Sven's as well. Life Link on Sven.

I don't think I've taken damage since your Life Link went up, so I don't think I heal anything, nor do you take any damage. Right?

You're below max hitpoints, so you heal 5 and I take 5. Doesn't matter when the damage happened.

You took 18 from the cold breath weapon. ;D

You're below max hitpoints, so you heal 5 and I take 5. Doesn't matter when the damage happened.

Forgot that Life Link worked that way, I'll take the 5 hp. Thanks!

You took 18 from the cold breath weapon. ;D

That I recalled, but it was before the Life Link went up, which I thought mattered. But it doesn't.

Status: 33/46 hp

Waiting to confirm the deadness of the wolf before posting Sven's actions.

Wolf is still alive.

This post, sadly, confirms the non-deadness of said wolf. But I bet you can make it dead.

Sven follows on Kalt's aggression with some of his own and, in one swift motion, affixes his shield to the clips on his hip. With a roar, the hulking Ulfen grips his axe with both meaty hands and buries its head in the wolf's side. "We've tackled trolls, pup. A little cold isn't going to frighten us."

Swift to stow shield dropping AC down to 21.

Two-Handed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Almost casually Sven buries his axe into the back of the giant lupine, ending the wolf's rather short reign of terror. It slumps into the snow, bleeding and unconscious.

The falconers shout to one another as they see their leader fall. The battle pauses for a fraction of a second, and in that lull the hunters exchange heated words.

The hunters nock arrows again, apparently having some will yet to fight.

Bugsby and Avora up!

Avora stabs at the bird that is vexing her.

Avora vs. Falcon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage (spear): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Squawk! The falcon's protest is short lived as Avora dispatches the bird. Meanwhile, Bugsby grins madly as he dashes forward to sling another ball of goo at the archers. Said ball of goo lands considerably short of the humans.

One of the archers pulls a small vial from his belt and moves to the side of the fallen wolf. Another pulls a sword (dropping his bow) and moves to strike at Sven, but the fear of the large man shakes the man and his blade fails to penetrate the Ulfen man's armor.

Two humans shoot arrows at Kalt, while the remaining falcons move to harass Sven and Kalt, but the two warriors are not easily distracted by the small creatures.

The only blow that lands is a lucky arrow shot from an archer 9 pts

Bugsby

Bugsby raises a hand in front of his face, moving his fingers in a hypnotic pattern, his eyes almost crossing as he stares at it. "Whoathat'scool..." he mutters, then he shakes his head clear, recalls what he's about and flicks his fingers at the nearest hunter. He then takes a few quick steps back toward the trees, in case the bowman comes after him for his little trick.

Cast daze at hunter on northeast corner of dead wolf. DC 13 Will save.

The hunter holds his potion in hand, but looks distracted, as though his mind is elsewhere.

will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Moving over near Bugsby Ankih fires a ball of fire at the prone wolf...
Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
fire damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
" I am verily tired of these evil folk, believing they can attack and harm anyone they wish! Sarenrae! Vanquish them in fire."
Ankih yells this in Skald as he shoots at the winter wolf. And I really hope a large helpless critter has a really bad AC....

Actually the bird's attack will hit because Sven put down his shield.

Sven curses as the attacking avian flaps aggressively in his face. Remembering the swarms of pecking crows in the witch's employ earlier, the big man growls but tries to focus on the warrior at his flank. In a motion as quick as the first, he snatches up his shield again before bringing his axe to bear against his attacker.

Hack (distracted): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Confirming: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 2 = 8
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 7) + 10 = 24

Back up to AC 23.

Lana takes 10, Sven and Kalt each heal 5.

Lana inhales sharply as the pain from the two men's wounds seeps across into her spirit. Trying to control her breathing, she steps up behind the falcon attacking Kalt and tries to distract it with her knife-blade. Aid Another for Kalt's next attack.

Aid Kalt (flank): 1d20 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) - 1 + 2 = 7
Or not. :)

Though the nearest hunter seems to be staring off into space, Kalt does not want the man to give the fallen wolf whatever aid is in that vial. He steps away from the falcon near him (AoO, I presume), leaving Lana to flail at it with her knife, and around the fallen wolf. He then swings hard at the bowman.

As he strikes, he calls out in Skald:

+1 Greatsword, Power Attack, Bull's Str, Flank: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 26
+1 Greatsword damage, Lead Blades, Power Attack, Bull's Str: 3d6 + 7 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 7 + 6 + 3 = 26

Status: 29/46, was at 33, arrow did 9, Lana healed 5.

Avora moves forward to join the melee, struggling against the weight of her gear. Move 20 feet.

Ankih singes the fur of ice wolf - the flame burns brightly against the wolf's strange, glistening hide. The beast shudders, but still breathes haggardly. Vulnerable to fire

Nadya looses another arrow, catching a bowman in the throat; the man falls, gasping for air. Meanwhile, Kalt pierces the gut of the dazed Ulfen man; he coughs up blood and slides off the blade.

Seeing their numbers halved in but a few seconds the other two throw down their bows and cry out their surrender in Skald. They whistle to call off their falcons.

Combat over. The winter wolf, a falcon, and two men appear to be bleeding out currently.

I was making the mistake of thinking the falcons don't have 5' reach, but they do. I'll skip the AoO, as I forgot to call for AoOs from your allies when the bird moved away from them. My mistake.