Snows of Summer (Reign of Winter I)

Game Master lucklesshero

With his training in identifying magical uses, Hassan examines the potions, but they prove to be beyond his ken. He does say to Lanfried, "Careful friend. If that priest was indeed a servant of Norgorber, the god of murder, those green vials could be some form of poison. It is often used by the evil cult."

Hassan Spellcraft DC 16, spell lore: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 = 12

Of course...

I added the loot above to the Loot Tracker, and split the coins 5 ways for 83.6gp per player including Newmark.

Hassan is suspicious of the unidentified vials and cautions against sampling anything a priest of Norgorber would carry. After finishing searching upstairs you look through the rooms downstairs and find the following.

Hassan will take a look at the scrolls, which are probably divine in nature and see if his training will allow him to make heads or tails of them.

Once the scrolls are studied, he will head to the trap door, opening it with blade in hand, hoping that some clue of the whereabouts of the lady they came all this way to find is inside.

Scroll 1 Spellcraft, spell sage: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 4 = 17
Scroll 2 Spellcraft, spell sage: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 4 = 10
Scroll 3 Spellcraft, spell sage: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 4 = 22

I will add the other art objects etc to the Loot Tracker. Unless there is objection, Hassan will take the healer's kit.

Hassan is able to identify, the two divine scrolls as scrolls that will give weapons a minor magical enchantment. The other scroll is arcane surprisingly ...but Hassan is still able to puzzle out that it's a utility spell that summons an invisible servant..(2 divine scrolls of magic weapon, and a scroll of unseen servant.)

Hassan, and Lanfried eventually open the trap door leading to the cellar. Surprisingly, they find the room lit by dim candle light. A half-dozen boxes and barrels take up the majority of this underground cellar. A rough blanket lies spread on the floor in the southeast corner next to a bowl of half-eaten food. A 10-foot-high wooden ladder provides access
to the cellar. After calling out for Lady Argentea a few times, a somewhat disheveled and clearly injured woman peaks her head out from behind some of the crates. Who are you? Are...are they dead? the poor woman seems to be just barely containing her emotion...hope seems to be coming to place she thought abandoned. Her eyes are a bit watery but, she proudly lifts her head, asking the question she's wanted to for nearly a week now... I heard fighting, are you here to rescue me?

Still unconscious?

Time hasn't moved on in game. We're still stuck on the table.

After the epic battle at the Hunting lodge, the group is quite beat up. Despite, Lady Argentea's desire to leave immediately back for Heldren. You stay at the lodge several days recovering and burning the dead. Wassillissa suffers some small symptoms of chill bane shakes but, her formidable constitution shakes off most of the effects..

After a couple days recover at the lodge, your group disposes of the little evil fey sprite discretely and quietly. You board up the room where the obviously sick bandits stayed and decide to trek back to Heldren.

When you arrive in Heldren your greeted as the heroes that you are. Soon a group of guardsmen come to retrieve lady Argentea, and she rewards you for your valiant service. (already posted on discussion page)
The town council has a meeting a couple days after, you arrive and just about everyone in town is there. Most consider it a blessing that there are heroes in town that are willing to investigate the unusual weather and Lady Argentea hinted that she would be speaking to other nobles in Taldor to get word to Grand Prince Stavian III; notifying him of the emergency developing in the south.

However, it is soon apparent...that no help of any consequence will be coming any time soon. Therefore, it will be up to your party to investigate the strange occurrence of the weather and it's possible implications. You spend a total of 6 days in Heldren preparing for your foray back into the Border wood. Newmark spends much of that time working on his spellbook but, also orders '10' cold iron crossbow bolts from Isker Euphram (the town blacksmith); just in case.. as he mentions. Newmark is also seen talking to both Tessaraea Willowbark (female elven owner of the Apothecary) and Old Mother Theodora (resident soothsayer and rumored witch).

Should be noted: Newmark has purchased two alchemist fire, one weapon blanch 'cold iron', 10 cold iron bolts, and a scroll of sleep, 5 tinder twigs, a two man tent, some Blackfire clay (10 lb). The last two items he's packed on one the donkeys (who themselves have makeshift cold weather blankets covering them to help them survive the cold +4 to saves vs cold weather)

After spending the six days in Heldren, the group treks back out into the wilderness and decides to stop at the hunting lodge again for one more night. The group enjoys a hot meal and somewhat light conversation that night with a roaring fire in the hearth...At night you all turn in and sleep with troubled dreams... of your homelands covered in endless seas of ice.

The next morning after having a warm breakfast and preparing your spells you set out...There's a bridge going over a gorge that leads into the heart of the Borderwood you now stand before it.

A bridge made of rope and wooden planks spans a narrow ravine. It’s covered in ice and snow, and it sways alarmingly in the icy winds blowing through the gorge. The turbulent waters of a fast-moving creek surge through a couple of waterfalls far below.

OK guys you saw this bridge on your first trip here..but didn't investigate or go further for want of getting Lady Argentea back to Hedren. Lanfried's knowledge of the local terrain means that he knows it's at least 5 miles in either direction through heavy snow to find another place to cross this ravine. What do you do?

Lanfried spends a moment contemplating the bridge. With a deep sigh he takes a step towards the first wooden slat, reaches down and scoops up Grawlic. He positions the cat across his shoulders and slowly edges his way across the rickety structure.

"I brought rope. We could secure everyone walking over, just in case." Wassilissa tells. Oh, my. How will I get the donkey over that bridge?

Retroactively buying a rope.

Lanfried and Wassiliisa begin to cross the bridge Celia grabs one end of the rope and hands the remaining coil to Arrac. The bridge croaks precariously but seems sturdy enough. Knowledge engineering check applies

Lanfried gets to the middle of the bridge with Wassillissa following closely behind.

please look at slide '13' for reference.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Wassilissa is unaware of any pending doom.

Arrac looks out over the gorge, taking in the icy wind with a bit too much enthusiasm.

I wonder, if this is what it was like all the time back in the northern lands. And if so, why my grandfather decided to leave it. He says just as much to himself as anyone else.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

he seems to lost in thought to notice much of anything at the moment. Enjoying the cold wind doesn't help either.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Lanfried mutters to Wassilissa. In the tree. Something there. Beware

Hassan also has a coil of silk rope which he makes available if anyone else needs tied down. As the dwarf points out something in the trees, the outlander looks, but cannot see the threat. He readies his bow anyway, on the off chance there is a threat.

Hassan Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Wassilissa looks where Lanfried points to. "Perfect timing." she sighs.

Precieving that it's been spotted, the creature flutters out of it's make shift nest, and starts flying toward the bridge.

Newmark gets his first look at it K planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 but has never seen the like.

Surprise Rd
Ice creature Flew over to bridge.
Lanfried (still holding Grawlic)

R1
Ice Creature
Hassan
Lanfried
Grawlic
Arrac
Wassillisa
Newmark

Lanfried May take a surprise round action (it's a free action to drop Grawlic on the icy bridge a move action to 'set him down')

Lanfried will carefully place his companion down on the bridge.

The little ice creature shifts in the air a bit and ends up hovering about 10' above the bridge just off to the side off it. It looks down at you and says in common, with a voice that sounds like breaking crystal, So you've returned interlopers! Turn back now and await your doom like the other sheep...or if you'd rather.. The creature appears to shrug it's shoulders while flapping it's wings, I can expedite your decision! The creature then proceeds to open it's little maw and a freezing mist gushes from it's mouth, enveloping the two people (and cat) on the bridge. dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Need a reflex save (vs cold: please make it even if DR would reduce dmg to '0') After expelling it's freezing gas the creature chortles like a maniac, Ha! you look like idiots sliding around on that weak bridge! Har!

R1
Ice Creature
Hassan
Lanfried (need a reflex)
Grawlic (need a reflex)
Arrac
Wassillisa (need a reflex)
Newmark

Bold may go, 1st roll must be reflex save for those that need them.

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Lanfried pulls a sling from his belt, loads it and whirls a stone at the creature.

sling: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Hassan takes aim against the flying creatue, amazed at its icy breath weapon. He lets fly hhis first arrow just after the wintry blast hits his teammates.

Haassn bow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Dmg, if hit: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The cone envelopes the three on the bridge, Grawlic howls in pain as the icy frost causes crystals to form between his claws and block his nostrils until he rubs his nose against the frozen ropes of the bridge. The Cat is clearly affected (Grawlic takes 3hp dmg and is 'sickened'for 3 rounds)

Hassan's shot just misses the creature fly high over it's head. Lanfried shakes off most of the frost breathe then, loads his sling and lets loose; striking a solid blow that, hardly seems to phase the creature. Only a tiny red mark appears on it's lithe frame even though Lanfried's shot was strong and true.

R 1

Ice Creature (minor dmg)
Hassan
Lanfried (-1dmg)
Grawlic (-3dmg)
Arrac
Wassillisa (need a reflex)
Newmark

bold up.

Grawlic delays. He can't attack at range.

Arrac will draw his bow and place a cold-iron arrow on it before taking aim and loosing it upon the ice creature.

AHAHA! Here I thought today couldn't get any better!

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

I totally forgot that I didn't have a composite longbow haha. Rip. Can't check atm, so assuming he the creature is over 20ft away from Arrac.

Arrac's arrow streaks toward the creature and finds purchase, The cold iron arrow sticks in the creature but not as deeply as Arrac thought it might. It's evident this creature is not natural and has some resistance to your weapons including those made of cold iron.
Knowledge arcana Newmark: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
guys sorry Newmark's knowledge checks are in the toilet right now..if you have knowledge planes, knowledge arcana, even heal checks might help gain some info..
Newmark not knowing what else to do..starts summoning a celestial eagle.

R 1

Ice Creature (minor dmg)
Hassan
Lanfried (-1dmg)
Grawlic (-3dmg)
Arrac
Wassillisa (need a reflex)
Newmark

Wassillissa is up.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Wassilissa shakes off the cold mist and moves over to the other side of the bridge. From there she shoots at the creature.
Bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d8 ⇒ 7

Wassillisa's arrow misses....but she manages to avoid any damage from the cold breathe (actuality her DR/2 cold adsorbed the remaining 1 dmg) The ice creature flutters back 10' from the bridge remaining 10' above the bridge level. It then begins a complex ritual of some sort.

R 2

Ice Creature (-minor dmg)
Hassan
Lanfried (-1dmg)
Grawlic (-3dmg)(sickened)
Arrac
Wassillisa
Newmark

bold is up.

Bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d8 ⇒ 2
"What is that thing?" Wassilissa asks while shooting again.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

It is healing. Look.

Lanfried fires another fruitless bullet at the ice creature.

Sling: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Hassan may have seen or heard of these creature during his time learning how to combat evil magic. What he does know is that this thing seems resistant to damage and heals itself. The inquistor steps forward and calls out, "Sun Goddess let you cleansing fury burn this spawn of evil."

Bolt of Fire, ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Fire dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Know Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Heal: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Arrac wouldn't have a clue, he used cold-iron just in case.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Its wounds are healing!

Arrac, noticing the cold-iron seem ineffective shrugs before dropping the bow and drawing one of his throwing axes while stepping a bit closer. He pulls back and launches it at the creature.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Come down and fight me you coward!

Wassillissa misses with her bow as does Lanfried with his sling.

However:

Hassan's fire bolt seems to actual harm the creature more than it ought to have.

Arghh! Scream the flying Icy blue skinned creature as Hassan's fire strikes it's flank. It turns to the Inquisitor and states in it's crystalline voice, Izoze, will freeze your bones southern man! I swear I'll laugh when I hear your bones crack!

Then Arrac's axe comes flying at the creature end over end striking squarely, in what surely would of killed a lesser creature...but somehow this creature's supernatural resistances help it to stave off much of the blow. It looks hurt now, the creature glances going back and forth between the big Ulfen and Hassan.

Then:

Newmark finishes casting his spell and a celestial eagle appears in back of the flying horror. The Eagle Immediately sets about, trying to rip the smaller creature apart with talon and beak. talon 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23dmg: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 talon 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18dmg: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6beak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15dmg: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7 confrim crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 crit dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 A flurry of blood feathers and blue skin erupts in the middle of the sky...the Eagle grabs hold of the Icy flyer and doesn't let go! Quickly both of them start descending to the ravine below as a couple of you glimpse the eagle tearing at the motionless body of the Ice creature as it plummets caught in the Eagle's merciless talons. A moment later the a great KA! *Screech*! of victory , echos off the canyon walls ...as the eagle soars past the bridge once again ascending 20' over the group not yet on the bridge. In it's Talons is the viscous little head of what was once the ice creature!

Combat Over!

Lanfried will edge across the bridge, bidding Grawlic to follow.

Arrac will nod. Hah, well, lets continue before more fun finds us.

Arrac will wait for the others to cross before following along behind.

"How'd you get that axe back?" Wassilissa asks.

After the battle is over Newmark shivers... Don't know what that thing was...but it was certainly not natural. Newmark spits and the spittle crystallizes before hitting the ground. Seems colder on this side of the bridge the Dwarf remarks.

Newmark makes a few arcane gestures and then his shivering settles a bit, Best take all the precautions we have ...it's not getting any warmer! Indeed...it does seem to be getting colder...

(Everyone who doesn't have endure elements please make a fort save vs cold) donkey 1 fort save vs cold: 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 4 + 4 = 32 donkey 2 fort save vs cold: 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 4 + 4 = 31
(PS. be helpful if you guys named the donkeys..that way I don't have to write 'donkey 1' ect..)

After about an hour hike past the bridge, you come upon an oddity. The forest stands deathly quiet here. Even the wind has grown still as snow softly falls through the stark branches overhead. Tracks, human in size but oddly misshapen, mar an otherwise unblemished trail through the trees.

I am suffering a little with the depression goblin and the pre-workout monster today. I suffer from depression and took a shot of pre-workout (equal to 4 cups of coffee) before my gym session this morning. I am simultaneously hyperactive and depressed. Weirdest feeling. Anyway, I should not be trusted with naming anything today

Hassan hustles across the bridge and follows along behind the others, his bow at the ready. As the unusual tracks appear, Hassan bends to try to see what he can tell from those trails.

Hassan Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"You're still good?" Wassilissa asks Chewie and tousles its fur.

The donkey ignores the question and keeps chewing whatever it has between its teeth since this morning. Eartack looks similar disinterested. Which is a great feat of these creatures. Horses probably would have run when the fight broke out.

What is the DC for the cold? So I get an idea how hard it will be for the donkeys to not freeze.

cold?what cold?: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31

Arrac looks around. Slightly disappointed that the wind seemed to stop here. Before looking to hassan and Wassilissa.

What can you make of the tracks?

He keeps an eye on their surrounding while they look.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

discussion thread for cold.(I take it both Lanfried and Hassan have cast endure elements? What about Grawlic?) FYI you guys are on slide 11.

Hassan notes that the tracks are vaguely humanoid but too light for most humans. Moments later Arrac learns why..Three of those dreaded frost skeletons amble down the path towards your party.

R 1

Hassan
red
blue
Lanfried
Grawlic
Arrac
Green
Wassallissa
Newmark

Hassan is up.

Wassilissa is surprised by spit freezing in the air and hitting the ground as solid ice. "Is someone cold? If not, I'd use my magic on Chewie and Eartack here."

Meanwhile she takes a look at the tracks.
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

I'll cast endure on myself and on Grawlic. That leave me 1 level 2 slot for today.

both donkey's seem fine for now..[+13 on their fort saves to resit cold {+5 normal fort, +4 endurance, +4 cold weather barding}] Also, Lanfried if I'm not mistaken you need to pick your spells at a specific time of day..you don't get to keep open spell slots using whatever spell is useful at the time. Your current spells listed are cure light wounds, faerie fire, endure elements....0th-detect magic, guidance(DC 13), purify food and drink, resistance(DC 13).....I'll allow you to 'swap out the faerie fire this time but I'm mandating your other slot was cure lt wounds (as it said on your Paizo character profile) Normally a druid prays in the morning or evening (actually could you please establish the time of day you pray for your spells..pick between Sunrise and Sunset please)...OK still waiting on Hassan's action.

Sunrise. I'll tidy up my book keeping and make sure I prep spells each day. I had not been updating the prepared spells.

Hassan is wearing the cloak of the yeti, which give a permanent protections against cold ala endure elements.

"Minions of evil!" cries Hassan as the undead reveal themselves. "Let the power of the Dawnflower unmake you!"

He steps forward and readies to cast disrupt undead when the creatures come within range (30').

Readied Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Probably not good enough to hit...

Hassan fires off a ray of energy as the red frost skeleton ambles towards the party through the think snow. The Ray goes wide and the skeleton continues it's pace unhindered.

R 1

Hassan
red
blue
Lanfried
Grawlic
Arrac
Green
Wassallissa
Newmark

bold is up

arrac moves foward to strike the creatures, drawing his warhammer as he charges.

attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 19 assuming I can charge? if not, attack roll is 17.
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14

Are we on a slide? If so which one?

Slide 11