The Laughing Wolf Inn

Game Master Thomi Gallowshade

"If we needed confirmation of fey involvement," Celif says as she studies the fetishes, "I'd say we have it." She looks around as a shiver runs through her... though whether from the cold or something else, it was hard to say.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"Fairies. Why did it have to be fairies?" Nästród mutters.

Imowen: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Flug: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Celif: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Nastrod: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Flug and Nastrod suddenly feel a stinging sensation, like a pin or needle prick...

Both of you need to make Fortitude saves please.

Flug's brow furrows.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

This doesn't bode well.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
"I think something stung me. . ."

Nastrod feels a stinging sensation, but brushes it off.

Flug feels a numbing cold creep over his body, freezing him with chills and staggering him!

1d20 ⇒ 18

Nastrod notices several diminutive, luminous creatures are flitting around the trees, moving toward the group!

Roll for Initiative. The map is updated. Flug, you are staggered for the first round - you may make one standard action, or one move action, but not both.

Creature Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"We have visitors!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Ch-chilled," Flug stutters.

Intiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"What? Where?"

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"Fairies! Coming out of the trees! I think they shot Flug and I with darts."

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"I don't think they're fairies . . ."

Initiative Order:

Group 1: Imowen
Group 2: The Creatures
Group 3: Flug, Celif, Nastrod

Group 1: Imowen...

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 4 = 14

"And I don't think they are friendly . . . "

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

I arm my MW Light Crossbow and take arm at one of the creatures . . .

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Imowen takes careful aim...and looses a bolt that strikes one of the creature! It yips in pain!

Group 2: The creatures

The creatures fly about rapidly...

Imowen: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Celif: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Flug: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Nastrod: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Imowen and Celif feel stinging sensations, and are immediately beset by a wave of numbing cold, leaving them staggered! You are staggered for one round - you may make one standard action, or one move action, but not both.

Group 3: Flug, Celif, Nastrod...

Nästród charges the nearest one!

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 32
Regular Damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 = 10
Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Critical: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 30
Critical Damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11

Nastrod charges into the fray and manages to strike one of the creatures a critical blow! The creature bursts into flames as his magic sword crushes it flat, killing it instantly!

Flug's arm shakes when he lifts it towards the creature nearest to him.

Gift of Madness {mind-affecting compulsion} (Will negates DC 17) confuse for 1 round on the creature at L-11.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Flug bestows the Gift of Madness on the creature at L-11, and it becomes confused!

Celif's turn will end this round...

Sorry gang, O/T at work is really sucking up all my time. Closer to the end of it than the beginning, though...

Celif gasps and shivers uncontrollably, barely managing to complete an involved hand gesture before reflexively hugging herself and rubbing her arms in an effort to warm up.

Invoking Prayer. +1 luck bonus to allies and -1 luck penalty to foes for just about everything INCLUDING damage for six rounds. (Range is 40' radius.)

-Posted with Wayfinder

Celif mutters a prayer, bolstering her allies and hindering the foes!

Group 1: Imowen...You are staggered.

I stand my ground and again arm my MW Light Crossbow and take aim at another of these creatures.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Imowen takes aim with her crossbow and launches another bolt, but it misses the flitting creature.

Group 2: The creatures.

All of a sudden groups of glowing spherical lights appear among the trees, moving forward and backwards, up and down, sideways and curving among the branches. They fly about in crazy patterns and then...wink out! Looking around, you no longer see the creatures who attacked you, and you must presume they have fled...

End of Encounter.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Are they gone or invisible?"

Flug tilts his head at the appearance of lights and the sudden retreat. "A friend or a signal?"

A spellcraft roll might tell you more.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Flug looks around before speaking. "If they were not fairies, w-what were they?"

Cast guidance
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 1 = 20

Nastrod recognizes the tell-tale signs that the spell Dancing Lights was used by the creatures to disguise their luminous glow while they retreated from the area.

There being no further signs of life in the area, the party decides to continue following the trail of tracks through the snow. After walking about one mile the trail of tracks is crossed by a narrow game trail that winds its way through the trees and undergrowth here. Hoofprints mark the underlying snow, leading in both directions.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Perception rolls please, plus any other rolls you think might benefit.

Clarifying: there are two different trails, trails of tracks, and the game trail, and both have hoofprints through them?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Cast Whispering Lore
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 4 = 15
Cast Guidance
Survival: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Clarifying: there are two different trails, trails of tracks, and the game trail, and both have hoofprints through them? [/QUOTE

Correct. There is the main trail made by a dozen or so persons and horses, and at this spot it is crossed by a game trail which has its own set of tracks.

Your excellent perception and knowledge skills allow you to determine that the tracks along the game trail are very recent, and belong to a large deer. Looking around in the direction the tracks are heading, you see the head of a large stag peering above a pile of rocks about 50 feet away. The creature is looking at you, and it is distinctive because its fur and antlers are totally white. The steam rising from its breath was the thing that made it noticeable. It stares at you...notices that it has been seen...and it speaks:

More people...how unusual. What brings you to the forest? There are many dangers about...

Well, hello, Sir! We are looking for a Countess and her entourage that disappeared on their way through this forest, and for a farmer that went looking for a talking white stag that his son saw in this forest and then never came back. Would you know anything about these people and what happened to them? Where we could find them and return them to where they came from?

Stag: People...looking for more people. How interesting. Look down...what do you see? A trail? Footsteps? Where did they come from? Where do they go? Do like the dog and follow your nose...

"That is exactly what we have been and are still doing. Thank you so much for your help and wealth of information.", I say and turn around and head back to the rest of the group.

Flug continues staring at the stag. "Dangers?" he says. "The fae?"

Stag: Dangers abound. Winter spreads around you, bringing creatures of the cold...creatures you know nothing about. Fae are only part of the influx. If you go on, you should be very wary. If you turn back, you may save yourselves...

"A winter of discontent..." Flug says, "we aim to stop its advance. May we save ourselves, but others would fall to the cold grasp. Who are you to warn of us, another creature we know nothing about?"

Stag: I am me...just what you see. I warn you of dangers ahead, nothing less, nothing more. You must fight the cold in addition to the frost-bound creatures who appear in its midst. If you are ready for both challenges, then proceed... I am here neither to aid you nor to hinder you...

"How can we defeat the cold and the frost-bound?"

Stag: How does one defeat the cold? Try...fire!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
"Surely, you realize that these creatures create disharmony. You, and all creatures, deserve to live in peace. If you will help us defeat those responsible for wickedness, we can restore the balance to all. I have foreseen it."

Stag: The cold expands. Defeating creatures will not stop that! Kill as many creatures as you desire...more will take their place. You desire to live in peace? What is wickedness to you, is merely opportunity to others...

"Would you help us stop the expanding cold? Surely, you would prefer green hills and the warmth of the sun?"

Stag: As previously told to you, I warn you of dangers ahead, nothing less, nothing more. I am here neither to aid you nor to hinder you. If you desire to stop the expanding cold, then you must proceed on your chosen path. I believe our conversation is at an end...

The stag turns and proceeds up the game trail, and disappears into the woods...

The snow begins to fall in earnest again, driven by a freezing wind...

Please make Fortitude checks.