Woodsmoke's Reign of Winter

Game Master Woodsmoke

I have a scroll of Endure elements, but that’s all I have for resisting energy, so to speak. If we could buy a scroll of Resist Energy, I could teach it to Fox and memorize it.

Edit: actually, no I can’t. For some reason, that spell isn’t on the witch spell list! I’m not here how best to address that.

Other than that, Geedra isn’t really item dependent. I could use an Int boosting item, but I’m not sure that’s the best use of gold right now.

All relative Geedra - magic weapon is lacking for Skane, but the armour is a nice tankiness add-on for our tank.

INT booster would up your baseline power so it'd help us all (moreso given you're our prime arcane spell caster)

Buying the +1 Spear (2,302 gp), and the +2 Breastplate (4,350 gp), would leave you with 7,524 gp.

50% headband of intellect 51-100: 1d100 ⇒ 60

You can locate a Headband of Intellect +2 on the "black market" for % markup: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 4,600 gp

If we want to do that, that’s okay with me. Geedra will take the Int item.

We need to get Katie in here so we can get things rolling again.

Go with it.

Agree on getting Katie up and at 'em - if not we'll need another place filled methinks.

Yeah, probably. I'll look into it, but either way I expect to kick things back off this weekend and get the show back on the road.

Slammed at work at present - 2020 offshore service budget estimates eating up my time, normal service will hopefully be resumed by weekend.

@All: Just a wee heads up that I'm off down to Edinburgh (Auld Reekie) tomorrow for a couple of days catching up with an old buddy.

Back Friday but likely (a little) worse for wear. Anticipate normal service will resume o'er the weekend.

Please bot me as necessary :)

Didn't see this till now, but I was away at a wedding myself. Home now, and will get things moving tomorrow after work. Apologies.

Believe Katie was looking after the loot - I'm quartermaster for another game so I'd rather avoid the responsibility if poss.

Folks - just a heads up that recently got the awful news that our beloved 9 year old rescue staffy, Darby, has an aggressive brain tumour and only 4-6 weeks left with us.

Our red boy is the epicentre of our lives and this has pretty much shocked us to the core. We're brokenhearted and if over the next few days and weeks my posting suffers please bear with and bot me as necessary.

BD

Skäne, that's just horrible to hear :( So so sorry that you have been dealt this hand, and sorry for the hund as well...ugh, no words can alleviate such a loss. I am sure you will do your best to make his remaining time as best as it can be. Take care of yourself and yours.

Truly heartbreaking. I’m a crazy animal person and basically have just turned into a old dog hospice center anymore. Sis helps with a shelter and at any given time I have 3-4 older dogs laying around my house. It’s a comfy warm spot for them until their years are up. And it never gets easier when their time comes.

Thoughts to you.

Okay everyone, I've updated all the loot up to and including the bugbear you just defeated. The Campaign Info tab has everything, and I'll take over keeping it up to date. That said, I'll note the following:

I will assume everything that is on the Campaign Info loot table is in the Bag of Holding unless someone specifically claims it. If you would like something, please make it known and add it to your character sheet and I will remove it from the loot sheet. Additionally, I believe there was talk about Skäne carrying the bag, but was never a confirmation, so I would like to have someone officially holding the bag, just to keep record of who exactly has all the stuff at any given time. If there are potions or scrolls you think you would want to use in combat or other situations when retrieving them from the Bag would be improbable, might be a good idea to take them onto your person.

I also might have an offline friend joining us after the holidays to replace Katie, so I'll keep you updated on that as well.

Folks - just wanted to share that yesterday we had to say goodbye to my beautiful red staffy Darby. His passing was very peaceful and he's now free from the burdens his tumour inflicted upon him.

To say my wife and i are broken is an understatement - Darbs was, is and always will be, the epicentre of our lives.

Over the coming days, weeks and months we will heal and come to celebrate his life, but right now things are pretty raw. I may throw myself into distractions and my passions, so posting may be up, but likewise things may take a back seat - should that become the case please bot me when/where necessary.

Cheers

BD/Gary

So sorry Skäne. I truly feel for you. It's terrible to lose such a cherished part of your life. Take all the time you need. Thoughts to you and yours.

Just a heads up gang that myself and my better half are heading over to UAE tomorrow for 3 weeks. My sister in law graciously paid for the ticket to allow us some time to relax, process the loss of our beloved boy and maybe heal a little.

I anticipate that by the weekend (and the weeks to come) I'll have plenty of time to post, but first few days I'll likely be off the grid as we catch up and fall into a routine.

If you could bot Skane as/where necessary and I'll endeavour to get my head back in the game (literally) come time.

Appreciate the patience and understanding shown

Cheers

BD/Gary

Sounds like it will be a good chance to get away, relax, and recuperate. Have a great time, travel safe!

Week got away from me, sorry guys. Update tomorrow.

Hey Woodsmoke - am wondering if we need to look at getting new blood into the game to help give us a much needed injection?

Not sure what juncture we are at this part of the AP, if there is a good jumping on point coming up etc, but do think we need to consider our next steps, as much to give you something more than short posts to get your teeth into :)

However if we collectively think this is also grinding to a slow end, then perhaps we need to think about calling time? Personally I'd rather continue (as much on principle after we lost Justin) but also think the AP is epic fun.

Apologies if I'm overthinking :)

I'm definitely good to keep going. Obviously the last month has been pretty stagnant, and I am admittedly am not the best at forcing the drive forward when things are quiet (mainly due to my general aversion to taking too much control over PCs), and that's on me. I feel like a broken record always blaming work, but it has spurts where it really takes it out of me and those days where I have two hours of free time between getting home and making dinner and going to bed, stuff can tend to fall through the cracks. Definitely can look to add a new player - I can ask a friend of mine I play an offline campaign with to see if he is interested. I'll give a push forward with a post getting this combat underway (probably tomorrow evening) and do my best to get us back on a reasonable schedule. I understand if anyone does want to bow out do to the pacing problems and everything though.

Welcome any additional input about anything from anyone, as well!

Sounds a plan - am still game to push on, but do think more bodies and post input will give you better impetus.

Am totally fine with this being a slow burner and totally understand RL hits us all - looking forward to continuing our saga :)

Wee heads up gang - our management in their infinite wisdom are pressing ahead with an ISO audit (via Skype) which I'm heavily involved with due to my Ops Super role.

Been prepping all day today and audit is tomorrow - will likely be Friday before I'm back in the saddle again. Bear with and bot Skane if/where necessary.

Re: the dragon.

Looking over our loot in the campaign tab we have 3 potions of Feather Step that will allow us to ignore difficult terrain. Skäne's Boots of the Winterland mean he'll not be impeded from the ice that Bella mentioned. So tactically we should able to move freely as a group.

There is a divine scroll of Resist Energy (Cold) - will allow at least one of us to ignore some breath weapon damage.

Remember if anyone else engages it in melee Skäne can afford you +2 AC from his Saving Shield (if you remain adjacent to him).

We've also 3 Scrolls of Animate Dead - could use them to create Troll zombies or skeletons as shock troops?

Tree feather token could be used as cover for someone??

Much of this scrap will be a Raging Skäne drawing the ire of the wyrm while the rest of cripple it from afar. Depending on how nasty this thing is I should be in the fight for a few rounds at least, but with Mithras in a flanking position and Geedra has spells and Hexes that will also debilitate it.

My 2 Runes worth...

Geedra can’t use the scrolls. Maybe Krosh can. Might as well put resist cold on Skane. We need you bashing it as long as possible. Feather step might let Mithas get in flanking position easier.

Feather step seems like a good idea.

We also skipped over a witch encounter, which might have other goodies that could help. If nothing else, even if we don't deal with her first, we should be prepared to have another fight after the dragon, assuming we win.

No real reason to overthink this, prebuff, kick down the door, and hope the dice gods are with us.

Sorry guys. In the middle of buying a house right now and it's been a bit hectic with that + work.

Krosh has the following spells still available:

1st - Stone Shield, Shadow Trap
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Resist Energy
3rd - Cure Serious Wounds, Fly

Also has 4 uses of Channel Energy left, as well as his Hex of Healing he can use once per person.

Between the scroll and his own spell, two people can get Resist Energy vs cold. He can also cast fly on someone like Skäne or Mithas to stay in melee with the dragon if it takes flight.

Also if anyone wants to take hits from the CLW wand, go for it.

So if everyone is good with this, I'll update tomorrow moving on with these buffs:

Feather Step potions for Geedra, Mithas, and Katie (Skäne and Krosh have boots of the winterlands)

Resist Cold on Mithas and Skäne.

Fly on Skäne

Sounds good to me Woodsmoke.

Sounds good.

Ok, I get two new third level spells. Which two does the group prefer?

Fly
Lightning Bolt
Dispel Magic.

Got it narrowed down to those but would appreciate it if anyone feels strongly.

I took Lightning Bolt and Dispel Magic since I already have the flight hex.

I also picked up the Slumber hex which I won’t overuse as it can be really strong.

Might also be the perfect time to look for some new recruits?

@Geedra: Useful spells, but have you thought about ice spears? Less damage than lightning bolt, but you get to make trip attacks, it creates cover and you get +1 to the DC from your archetype.

Might also be the perfect time to look for some new recruits?

Probably should replace Katie at the very least.

I have a wand of ice Spears with 40 charges so we should be covered on that for a while.

Folks, just a heads up that my posting might be erratic this week. Got a bunch of RL stuff that is stymieing my creative flow and has frankly ground me down mentally...

I’m still missing my boy terribly, and while we’ve discussed getting another rescue pup of late, a sense of “replacement guilt” has weighed on me heavily. Additionally while gym's reopen in a week’s time here in Scotland, but it's been a long time coming, and that lack of “iron therapy” has been acutely felt of late in my mental wellbeing.

Lastly, but not least, I often set myself up as a defacto union rep in my workplace. Lately there’s been some issues that have put me at loggerheads with upper-management, whilst trying to do right by co-workers and the small team I’m responsible for. Sleepless nights and frustration has ensued, which has also contributed to my headspace being less than stellar.

I’ve taken Friday off, to bookend a bank holiday this weekend. Hoping to use the time to recharge and deload. If my posting is off, or I go awol for a day or three hope you’ll understand why in light of above.

Thanks ahead of time for your collective patience and understanding.

Gary/BD/Skane

No worries, Skäne. Take the time and space you need. We'll have everyone get leveled up and I can look to recruit us another player to replace Katie. If anyone knows anyone who would be interested in joining, we can go that route as well.

I'm running a couple of games on the boards with some reliable players. I can reach out if you want.

Yeah, that'd be great.

Will update after work and get things moving again. If anyone still needs to level up that's ok.

You guys planning on checking out the rest of rhe tower or just grabbing the prisoners and splitting?

K. Looks like I got someone. Told them to drop a post in the discussion.

As for the tower, I'm kinda torn. The call of loot is compelling, but I feel Mithas is more of a get out while the getting's good kind of guy.

Heyo, Fanguar extended the invite and I'd love to jump in whenever I can be written in... Finishing up my last night shift tonight and checking out some PC options. I can probably have something together for level 4?5?6? by weeks end at the latest (I've a bunch of DM prep for a heavy lore-drop IRL session on Thursday or it'd be sooner). Fanguar recommended perhaps a front liner Skald? I've been peeking at Oracle options too as I'm enjoying the class and somewhat familiar with the options having just made one... Battle/Metal melee, maybe a super lazy halfling nature mystery with a wolf for a mount/Segway. Suggestions welcome...

Doin my best to catch up to the PC creation stuff. Looks like 18 pt buy with (if I'm lucky) a 2 pt bonus, post buy (Gonna call that one the Lunatic Fringe cuz... Red Rider... apologies in advance...). Keeping things between 8 and 18 before Lunatic Fringe?

Standard WBL? I'll be honest I haven't played at these levels for Pathfinder so not sure what Heroic gear costs, or whats even available. I'll probably reach out for assistance once the PC is forming up...

I'm favoring an oracle atm, melee oriented, but could pivot to help fill the Bard sized hole, if the party is keen? Lunar looks fun with a bit of Druidic flavour, a flank buddy, and CHA to AC...

Lunar oracles are always welcome!

And thanks for joining up with the squad.

Greetings, and welcome aboard!

Current party is Rogue (Scout), Fighter (Viking), Witch (Winter), and NPC Shaman (Animist), with a Bard (Arcane Duelist) being the retiring ex-PC. Pretty much anything will supplement the core four well, so whatever you want is fine.

6th level, 18 pt point buy, as you saw. And there will be a boon by the end of the book (soon) for you and Mithas to bring you alongside the other two. I did a quick tally of the PCs gear, with what they've just accumulated with the dragon battle, and 15,000 gp to start for you sounds good.

We will be able to bring you in right after the PCs are done with the clock tower.

Byakko Whiteclaw is nearly fully formed on a word doc, just need to convert to an alias, I've popped him into the gameplay posts.

The frame seems pretty good for mage hunting and as a secondary melee combatant. I've never been spectacular at optimizing (certainly not the goal here, hope that was the right choice) so he's got a bit of everything, debuffing, control, beast shape, and a flank buddy tiger.

Here's some Hit Dice Woodsmoke

Lvl 2: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Lvl 3: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Lvl 4: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Lvl 5: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Lvl 6: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Nice hit dice rolling!

What can I say, I gots that Tiger blood!

So what's the current climate when it comes to witches in the city?

Should this be a 'die foul creature!' type of situation, or would a more nuanced approach be typical.

I'm not super versed with the culture of the region and having jumped in mid campaign, I'm unsure if the party has any previous history that might come into play.

The Witches run the city - the ruling caste is the jadwiga which are the myriad descendants of Baba Yaga herself, with different families holding different status. The current queen is Elvanna, so her direct descendants are the upper echelon. The witches are pretty much all evil, and they rule over Irrisen cruelly (Irrisen itself having once been Ulfen land which was taken from them when Baba Yaga first came to the material world and waged a war to carve out her kingdom. So a lot of the population that isn't witch, fey, or other allies of the jadwiga are low class at best, or slaves or worse. You're in the heart of their territory, so anyone who isn't a witch/ally hates them, but they have the power.

I suppose at this moment it is more about the bigger mission vs the current situation - if the time, energy, and danger is worth it to you. You gather things aren't likely to be any better for anyone if this witch runs than tower than they were when the dragon was. It's also been pretty heavily gathered from your trek through the tower that they've been feeding children to trolls, for what it is worth.

Geedra doesn’t like Granny, but I don’t want to start a fight that the rest of the group think is unnecessary. So if we want to skedaddle and get out of here, I’m fine with that too.