The Reign of Winter

Game Master Gethsemane

Brunt
Stag using Rhino stats as a base - because I wanted something that just attacked with horns not hooves and it seemed the best fit.

Male Stag
NN Medium Animal
Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +1
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+2 armor, +2 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 11 (9hd +2 con)
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1
Defensive Abilities
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 40 ft.
Melee Gore +3 1d8+3
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 14, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 5
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 15 (19 vs. Trip)
Feats Weapon Power Attack
Tricks Attack [Trick], Attack [Trick], Defend [Trick], Stay [Trick]
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +5

--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Attack Any Target [Trick] The animal will attack any creature on command.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Power Attack -1/+3 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.

Two years ago a pale beautiful woman arrived at Court declaring herself Irrisen's Ambassador, the Witch Illara Pale. Fascinated by the poised and brilliant woman, who soon became a firm favorite within the Court, Eladora took to watching her where she could and was noticed by one of her entourage, a young man who turned out to be Illara's son, Luken Pale. Luken offered to introduce her to his mother for a kiss, and him being handsome and mysterious Eladora was only too happy to take him up on his offer. Illara sensed a potential for magic in her and took her under her wing, spending a year and a half trying to teach her witchcraft while she carried on a passionate affair with Luken. But eventually Illara concluded that she would never be a witch, she had magic, but it was more primal, and with that she coolly washed her hands of the girl, having Luken break off their romance instantly.

Heartbroken by being cast aside by both Luken and his mother Eladora also found herself at the center of court gossip. Talk of her promiscuous ways was all around Court, her prospects for a good marriage were ruined, and even those she had thought her friends began to shun her. Worst the gossip drew her mother's attention, and furious at her for "ruining herself" Eladora was ordered to pack up her possessions and exiled to the tiny village of Heldren, as far from the luxury and intrigue of Oppara as could be imagined. Placed under the care of a former manservant of her father's, now Mayor, Harldor Tullard. Mayor Tullard clearly had no idea what to do with a broken hearted noble girl, and so settled upon a mixture of gruff kindness and letting her do whatever she wished. Not knowing what to do herself Eladora found herself walking out into the countryside in her beautiful dresses, ignoring the staring yokels and for the first time in her life experiencing nature. She brought little but clothing with her to Heldren, but has found the new love of her life - a young white stag she named Brunt. After befriending Brunt he became her constant companion, she recently purchased a set of barding for him after he was injured fighting off a boar. Her mother hopes that her being out of sight will allow her disgrace to fade away so she can be married off, but the more time she spends with Brunt out in the wilds, the more Eladora grows to loathe the thought of being bound to some fat noble against her will. But she does not know what else she can do...

Azana
Female Azata-Blooded Aasimar Tundercaller (Bard 1
Neutral Good Medium Humanoid (Native Outsider)
Initiative; +4 Perception
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 18, touch 14 flat-footed 14
hp 9
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +1
--------------------
Offence
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Shortsword +4 (1d6 damage, 19-20x2)
Magic
Level 1 Spells - Cure Light Wounds]

Level 0 (at will) - Message, Read Magic, Detect Magic
Statistics
--------------------
Str 10 Dex 18, Con 12, Int 14 Wis 8, Cha 16
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 14
Feats Weapon Finesse
Traits Restless Wayfarer, Innocent
Racial Traits Spellike Ability (Gliterdust), Truespeaker, Celstial Resistance, Darkvision (60ft)
Skills Knowledge (Geography) +7, Knowledge (local), +7, Perform (dance) +7, Perception +3, Linguistics +8, Sense Motive +5, Survival +4, Diplomacy +7
Languages Common, Celestial, Cyclops, Giant, Slyvan, Dark Folk, Draconic, Dwarven, Orc
SQ
Combat Gear Shortsword, Scimitar
Other Gear Chainshirt, 2x Cold Weather Outfits, 3x Entertainers outfits, 38 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Bardic Performance (7 rounds),
Counter Song, Distraction,
Fascinate, Inspire Courage,

Unfortunately, what was there was a bear trap. Wandering off the road to answer a call of nature, she strayed too far into the forests and failed to spot the trap, which was powerful enough to hold a bear -for a normal human the brutal instrument snapped her leg. Her limited magic was next to useless, especially as she was unable to pry the trap open again, and she was forced to drag herself to the closest town - Heldren.

Dragging the trap through the night had made a ruin of her leg, however. For the past year Azana has been unable to wander, instead resting and recuperating, doing odd jobs and singing in taverns to survive. But her leg is virtually healed now, and she is once again looking to the Horizon in search of a new journey...

Improved Shield Bash, Two-Weapon Fighting, Double Slice
Traits: Shield Bearer, Northern Ancestry

Ivana Garavel was a strikingly beautiful human woman with long, blonde hair piercing blue eyes. Ungthar met Ivana through trade, as her family owned a small shop in town. The two became friends quickly, and because her parents were usually so distracted with their business or other reasons, she was able to spend much time with Ungthar. She was a student in the Arcane arts and hoped to one day travel to Whitethrone to train under the great Winter Witches of Irrisen. Realizing that he was simply wasting most of his life in solitude while his friend had dreams and aspirations out of her reach, he decided to pledge his duties to her as a bodyguard, to assist her in travel to Whitethrone while she trains.

Ungthor helped Ivana run away from Lod to begin a new life in Whitethrone. During their time together, Ivana shared many of the mysteries of witchcraft to him, as he developed a closer bond to his ward and friend. She even saved his life from a very young and hungry winter wolf on their journey north, in which he felt a strange connection to the strong magic that Ivana wielded.

In the sprawling, diverse capital city, the two never truly felt out of place, but also felt a slight uneasiness from the ever watchful eyes all around. Unfortunately, tragedy struck after only a few weeks of their new life in Whitethrone. Ivana's parents had discovered where she had run off to, and hired fey mercenaries within Whitethone to bring her home while killing Ungthor for "kidnapping" their daughter. However, circumstances continued to spiral out of control when the city guards became aware of the situation. Rumors had pervaded that the town of Lod was secretly harboring members of the Heralds of Summer's Return, and a decision was made that by killing this girl, a message could be sent to the town and the national traitors that resided there.

Ungthor was devastated to find his friend murdered by fey mercenaries, and felt a horrible guilt for failing his pledge. He fled the city, harried by mercenaries all the way back to the Kodar Mountains and beyond. He continued to travel south, even long after escaping his pursuers, feeling lost, alone, and destroyed. Several years passed, and Ungthor continues his old life of solitude, living off of the land while occasionally interacting with small towns to resupply and trade. Lately, he has spent much time in Taldor, around the town of Heldren. However, he keeps his distance and doesn't get too attached to the townsfolk, in fear of repeating history once again.

Ungthor would work really well with a spellcaster in the party, as his archetype requires a "ward" in which he's chosen to protect. Hopefully that wouldn't be an issue.

He took over his father's woodcutting position, as he was instilled with a strong desire to work from his father. Over the years, handfuls of strangers came to Heldren seeking Storin, wishing to pay their respects to his deceased family. Many seemed to have traveled great distances to Heldren, leading Storin to wonder if perhaps all of his father's stories were in fact true. His favorite guest, however, was a large Ulfen man named Ostor.

Ostor visited Storin many times over the years, bringing mead and sharing stories of him and Storin's father throughout lands such as Irrisen, the Linnorm Kings, and Varisia. They traveled much together before splitting ways in Taldor. Storin's father was in love and wished to settle down and start a family with his new wife, while Ostor wanted to make a name for himself within Taldor. The Ulfen warrior parted with his shield as a memento of their friendship, which was inherited by Storin. Ostor had eventually risen to the ranks of the Longaxes, a group of Ulfen royal guards to the emperor of Taldor. Storin felt quite proud that an esteemed warrior such as Ostor would come share ale and stories with him. Ostor even trained Storin in the ways of the Ulfen raiders of the north, using a shield and axe to fight with great voracity. Storin found much excitement in his sparring lessons, but always felt a bit embarrassed about the inner anger that would occasionally slip out. He harbored a slight resentment that his father experienced so much, and he had never traveled far from the safety of Heldren. Of course, Ostor did everything he could to provoke this rage inside, claiming that it would help him becoming a better warrior someday to control it.

Eventually, the visits stopped as Ostor grew old in life. Storin was sad to see his friend go, as he felt Ostor was the only living connection he had to his father. With him gone, all he had were the mementos left behind. So, Storin continued his life as it was in Beldren. But a small piece always gnawed away at him. Maybe he should leave and set out on his own adventures as his father did? What if he could create the same friendships and stories to pass down to his own kids that he hoped to have someday? Alas, the thoughts were always fleeting, as Storin remembered that work needed to be done and if he didn't do it, who would?

Kris was a local guide, accompanying bands of hunters there to track polar bears and caribou. This was the root of the problem. One hunter was a very handsome dwarf, dashing and debonair, and Kris was smitten. A torrid love affair followed - along with many cries of dismay when it was time for the dashing young dwarf to go home.

Kris stuck around for a couple more weeks, but couldn't drive thoughts of him out of her head. Tendering her resignation, she joined with a caravan heading south - travelling to the hunter's home village of Heldren - where she was dismayed to find that the hunter who professed undying love was already married with 3 children.

When the adventure dawns, Kris is earning a meager living hunting for the villagers, trying to raise enough money to return home.

Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell that deals energy damage, you can change the type of damage to fire. This also changes the spell's descri
Eschew Materials Cast spells without materials, if component cost is 1 gp or less.
Fire Ray (1d6) (8/day) (Sp) Starting at 1st level, you can unleash an elemental ray as a standard action, targeting any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. This ray deals 1d6 points of fire damage + 1 for every two sorcerer levels you possess. You can use this ability
Magical Lineage (Magic Missile) A chosen spell counts as 1 level lower when metamagic feats are applied to it.
Toppling Spell Spell with the force descriptor knocks targets prone.

Her grandmother was a powerful witch, and according to the stories of her family, took a lover among the efreeti. Though Shula's mother appeared a normal enough girl, except for those icy blue eyes, Shula was born with clear signs of her ancestry. She was quick, and bright, and warm. Like fire, she also could be destructive, and many times her temper tantrums caused fires to erupt.

When she was of an age to leave home, she set out into the desert, looking for clues to her lineage. As it was well known that the efreet were evil and destructive spirits little better than demons, and that even the least of them was a powerful creature, Shula knew her only choice was to go to the north. There, she would find the secrets of her grandmother's people.

Still, there is no predicting the course of children, and instead of following her late mother's footsteps to become a fighter, Vivian became highly interested in nature instead. When she wasn't working on her fathers farm (developing strong muscles and a golden tan), she took to wandering the hills around Heldren and getting to know the terrain and animals there. Singha was actually a rescue from a travelling circus - the lion was sick and would no longer perform, and got left behind to die, so Vivian nursed her back to health.

Though happy in Heldren for the most part, Vivian has also often felt the pull of her mother's blood. She has a vague sense that she needs to explore that part of herself, and often catches herself looking towards the mountains in askance. Maybe one day she'll get a chance to explore them and beyond...