Woodsmoke's Reign of Winter

Game Master Woodsmoke


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As the group awakens and gathers themselves, the three merchants look bewildered and slowly process what you tell them. They gaze around at their surroundings and at you suiting up with armor and weapons and begin to gather their things, obviously still a bit fuzzy.

"Whatever is going on, I want..none of it. This way out, you say? That's all I need to know," one says, heading towards the direction you explain leads to the exit. The remaining two are quick to follow suit.

When Byakko and Mithas relay their dreams, Krosh looks on with trademark stoicism but then nods knowingly. "Three Riders must there be. The sky will soon be full again," he muses.

You finish readying yourself to find the third seal and set off, back down the southern path to the site of the second seal you broke, finding the clearing to be eerily silent. You pivot onto the northwestern path, another curving trail that leads on through the thick, ominous trees, where even mere feet of movement causes the twisting magic of the forest to swallow the path behind you, making it seem as if you've traveled hundreds of yards. This curving trail empties out into another clearing after a minute or so, however, and the first thing you are greeted with is a cold, swirling air that almost seems to pull you forward.

The source of this strange air is immediately apparent. Paths lead north and southwards from this clearing, the south disappearing into the twisting trees as it banks west, but the north is blocked by an alien hemisphere of churning darkness and twisted shadows. The rippling vortex consumes this trail and writhes as if alive, slowly spiraling and emitting a low, sucking groan of a windlike noise. The trees in the clearing seem to bend towards the vortex, swirls of snow on the ground are slowly pulled into its nigrescent core.

Dark as the anomaly is, it is not completely opaque, and you can see through to the other side, where the path leads on and comes to another clearing that houses what you have sought - a large, dilapidated hut perched atop two huge chicken legs surrounded by a picket fence of bleached bones. Baba Yaga's own dancing hut. Geedra and Skäne feel a gentle tug of gravity through the æther, a distant call from beyond the vortex that pulls at the soul. Byakko and Mithas hear a whisper in their minds, a disembodied beckoning, a beseeching for aid.

Krosh steps forward, and as his foot leaves the snow, the particles and flakes that fall from his boot drift forward, siphoned in by the wall of darkness. He waves a hand across the air and focuses for a few moments, calling out to his own guiding spirits.

"The fonts. The seals. They bind this nexus to our world. The breath of the first world calls from beyond. It is blending with our own." He looks back to you. "Your quarry lies beyond, but this connection must first be hewn."


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Byakko grunts in response to Krosh. "Aye, I've no desire to cross over to that world without reaching our goal first. A world guarded by piping tricksters sounds a sight less than delightful. South first then?" Byakko says as he gestures to the southern path.


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Geedra nods. ”Group am seem to be getting close. Couple more deals then group be good!”


Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

Skäne nods his helmeted head, brow clearly furrowed;

"Aye. Let us see this out."


Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

"Well there it is. At least we know we're in the right place. Let's find that last fey guardian and be done with this place."


You leave behind the strange barrier for now, knowing that you will ultimately need to return. You delver down the other path leading away from this clearing, once more melting into the darkened corridors of the forest. Within a few minutes of trekking, you find yourselves back at the crossroads that mark the point of the woods you entered from. One unexplored path stretches due west from this point of origin, so with eyes to one another and nods, you move west.

Despite being in this forest for a day now, the way the entirety of the place seems to swallow light and make itself seem a twisting maze is still unsettling. The wind still whispers and growls like a lurking beast, setting your hairs on end even more than the frigid air does. Eventually you see a light ahead, a silvery glow emanating from some unseen source. A few minutes later you find yourself in another clearing.

A pool of silver-blue water stands in this clearing. On the pool's surface, ripples begin at its outermost edges and rush inward towards a single point in the center where drops of water fall upwards toward the sky. Whilst this rain falls upward, in contrast snowflakes float down all across the small pond, delicately landing on the supernatural currents before being whisked back to the upswell.

Near the central point of vertical rain stands what you assume is the third dawn piper. This specimen is androgynous, with delicate and angular features and soft blue hair that fans out, swaying and ebbing like the water below. Their eyes are full and blue as well, the skin an argent cerulean. Dressed in flowing, opalescent finery, the fey absentmindedly fingers a beautiful harp. They turn to you as they enter and let out a long, highly exaggerated sigh.

"I was wondering when your cumbersome forms would lumber their way to my pool," they say with a liquid-smooth voice. "Perhaps before I would have been prideful enough in my elegance to allow myself the baser instinct to swell mo ego against you, but I am not so foolish, with what I have seen. The symbiosis with air makes one quick of thought but slow to think, and the earth is so full of clumsy wrath. Water, however, is eternal. Water adapts, water flows, water subsists. I know this font impedes your path, and with all honesty, I would rather not sully myself with an avoidable entanglement. This whole production has become rather dull, after all. Preludes and their promising accompaniments were sweet to the ear at first, but this drama has a tired second act." They give a curt smile, strum the harp, and sigh once more.

"What say you, then? I shall give you the key to this font and you may destroy it while I slip away back to my grievously missed home. If we were to come to blows, besting me would only serve to send me back there anyway. And this way, none of us needs to get ourselves dirty...well, dirtier. And besides, being killed in the second act? Me? I won't have it." The smile returns and the piper makes a sweeping, grandiose gesture towards the lot of you in a dramatic invitation to a response.


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Geedra shrugs her shoulders. ”Fey am always tricky. How Geedra’s group know can trust Fey to go home? Geedra happy not kill yet another Fey, if possible.”


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Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Not sure of intents here but Byakko has a few points in the Charisma bucket, shall I have a go for a round or two, see if I can bottle some lightning rolls to assist this harper talk their way out of a brawl? If ya dig, could use any assistance available... I'm also up for just thumping them out the hard way.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Byakko motions Enii to move off to the side and steps forward as Geedra says her piece. Crouching before the pool, he inclines his head to the harper then addresses them softly, "Perhaps your kin were ornery and easily goaded as they didn't have such a pristine pool with which to admire their elegance within. We have no desire to mar such a place, Visage, nor song with our clumsy instruments," he fingers his sword hilt, "but it seems you already know we have the ability and determination to do so, should you choose to join us in that medley. If there is a chord we could strike, it certainly would require you give us your key, then, and only then can we harmonize."There goes all Byakko's musical references! If it ain't too early here's a roll:

Influence Attitude: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Well that may cinch it... Could try making a request next round anyways if he's truly indifferent. Ooor maybe there was lateish assistance to make this roll a helluva lot better.


The fey sweeps their gaze first to Geedra, looking down with a mildly amused grin. "If you were ever to lay your eyes upon my home, you wouldn't question a desire to return there. This world is...dull, ugly. At first I thought it a splendid little lark to pull influence from my own through our fonts to here, but it has become such a bothersome ordeal. And certainly not an ordeal I am willing to come to blows over. There is no need for tricks. You've bested by brethren, yes? Little chance I would overcome such a numerous group myself. Why bother?"

When Byakko chimes in, they give a smile, though pleasant it also seems patronizing. "My my, look at you! Perhaps this place isn't completely full of dullards and ingrates after all." A sonorous laugh fills the air for a moment before they speak again. "I've no qualms."

They hold out their hand and a moment later, from the depths of the pool, a glassy blue sphere, perhaps a foot in diameter, slowly rises out of the water. It floats over and hovers above the fey's outstretched hand, rotating gently. The water droplets that fall off of its lustrous shell turn to tiny ice crystals as they descend.

"Destroying this will sunder my font, and send me back to my realm beyond. I could close it myself, but this way...well, let's just say I don't mind having it look like this font was forcefully broken." They wink and move their hand, the orb floating over towards the group where it hovers at the pool's edge. "Oh, oh no, brazen intruders. Please, don't break the key." A flutter of laughter follows. "I'm sure you already know what lies at the center of this wood, though I cannot possibly imagine what a motley assortment of specimens such as yourselves could possibly do with it. Such a mystery! But not one I am keen on unraveling. Perhaps I'll hear about it in a song one day, should you live long enough to tell the tale."

They gather up their harp and other personal effects before giving you another smile. "Well then, let's close the curtain on this stage, shall we?" They gesture towards the orb. "If you would be so kind."


Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

Mithas gives his companions a sidelong look. "This has got to be a trick right..?"

"Any of you magicky folks want to take a gander the orb's aura or what have you? We've seen two others this one should be similar."

Mithas is pure neutral, so I'm kind of in the murder hobo camp when it comes to these fey, but I guess we should avoid a fight if we can. Though this 'orb' doesn't really fit the same mould as the other two foci.


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Geedra casts Detect Magic on the orb.

Any of us trained in Sense Motive?


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

I'll give another SM roll if Woodsmoke allows but my bonus is... meager. If it's a no go I'll cast detect magic instead.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Byakko inclines his head a second time in acknowledgement, then glances over his shoulder and mutters towards Mithas.

"Perhaps Mithas, but I would greatly prefer avoiding their brand of enchantment a second time."

Enii continues to separate from the group moving around the pool.


Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

Spear and shield readied, Skäne watches the fey warily and weights its words...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21


Detect Magic:
Detecting magic unveils mixed auras of abjuration and conjuration off of the glassy orb, not unlike those you sensed on the tree in the Wind Piper's clearing and the floating stones in the Earth Piper's.

Sense Motive:
The fey is definitely hard to read, strange in its body language and intonation. You do not get a sense that they are attempting to deceive you, however, and perhaps thinks its purpose here - this 'production' is well beneath its station and just wants to be done with it all.


Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

Skäne's scarred brow furrows, but he remains readied for bloodshed;

"The Fey is haldorðr (Skald: True of word), but it has lítt (Skald: little) appetite for this mummery..."[/b]

The warrior swaps spear for adamantine hammer and strides forward;

"Let us send you heima (Skald: home) creature."

(Ready to smash the key)


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Seeing the Ulfen brandish his exceptionally effective hammer Byakko moves aside where he can watch both the swing and the fey at once.

"We look forward to you hearing our coda in person for the final act!" Byakko's smile matches the fey's but does not reach his eyes.


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Geedra waits for Skane to do the business, ready to cast a spell if the tricky Fey tries to double cross the group.


Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst, Mithas readies his bow in anticipation of betrayal.

Smash away.


Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

Skäne eyes the fey as he approaches, then measures a blow at the sphere;

"If this is a lygi (lie/falsehood), the next blow will sundr your hauss (skull) creature."

MWK Adamantine Warhammer - Sunder: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Bludgeon Damage (ignores Hardness): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Second Swing* MWK Adamantine Warhammer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Bludgeon Damage (ignores Hardness): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Second swing if needed or if fey is lying and something happens I'll aim it at them...Edit: Or not based on that roll lol.


The hammer rings out against the opalescent orb, and the sound of shattering crystal accompanies the fragmenting of the focal key as it scatters into a cascade of shardlike motes. A single cold pulse like a final heartbeat echoes throughout the clearing before the falling snow and rising water from the center of the pool all comes to a complete stop, frozen in time. The fey smiles as a moment later, the entire cycle of the font reverses.

The snow now rises back up through the air as the central stream of water pours down instead of flowing upwards. Where before the currents of the pool rushed inward, they now rush out, effervescing at the edges where the frozen forest floor forms its perimeter. A moment later, the entire pool begins to swirl into a maelstrom and all of the water slowly rises out of the basin, and the falling snow follows suit, circling round and round and mixing with the water.

"I can hear it!" the fey calls over the rushing wind and water. "The music of home!" They strum their harp once to add its rich, angelic tones to that of breaking font. As they do, they float up, enshrined in the center of the maelstrom.

"Fare well mortals. And good luck. You shall need it!"

The wind, ice, snow, and water suddenly all rushes inward around the space where the fey floats, a surging implosion of blue and white. The sound of some sort of extradimensional ripping lashes across your ears, but in that final percussive moment, all of the elements and energy vanish in a flash of light, and with their disappearance so too does the fey exit this plane.

All that remains in the clearing is a caldera in the hard earth, now empty of water.

In the distance, another shattering of glass.

"The third," Krosh intoned ominously.


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

"Good riddance. It's a wonder they managed to maintain a population with that level of vanity and arrogance. Perhaps the path to our goal is free. Any ideas of what happens when we reach the hut?"


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Geedra plods ahead and picks up the caldera, giving the group physical control of all the remains form defeating the three different fey creatures.


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Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

Mithas shrugs. "Well that was easier than anticipated. So, if I'm understanding everything correctly, that barrier should be down now, right? And the way to hut should be clear?"

Giving the clearing one last glance for anything out of the ordinary, he starts to head back to where the way to the witch's hut could be found.

@Geedra: Pretty sure the caldera was just the pit where the fey pool was.


You leave the pool, relieved but strangely disconcerted that the exchange with the dawn piper went so smoothly. A strange quiet has settled upon all things as you return down the path, as if the forest itself knows something is amiss with the destruction of the three fonts.

You make it back to where you first encountered the swirling nexus of planar energy, and in the spot it filled between the trees, you now see no sign of its presence. The snow and pine needle-laden path continues onward normally, as it it had never been barred by such an otherworldly barrier. You look to one another and Krosh nods, and you can all feel your nerves tighten and your hairs stand on edge for whatever it is to come.

Now will be the time for prep. Krosh will cast Bull's Strength on Skäne. Might be a good time to look at any scrolls, potions, etc you guys have been stockpiling.

You move down the path, following it but a short distance before the woods open up before you into the largest clearing you have come by, a circular some one hundred feet across. An osseous picket fence forms a squared barrier at the far corner of the clearing, blocking off a thirty-foot section. A body is impaled upon the sharpened bones of the fence - the figure of a lovely young woman dressed in all white, the remains of a holly wreath still crowning her alabaster hair. She stirs, just barely, but you are unsure if she yet lives or the breeze is doing it.

Behind the fence is what you have long sought - the Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga herself stands before you. The cottage-like hovel has a peaking roof of yellowed planks with a chimney and white-grey walls of stone with a quaint railed porch, but that is where its mundane accoutrements end. The second story window in the front is framed by a huge chicken's beak that opens and closes, and the whole thing sits atop two enormous chicken legs. The hut scratches restlessly at the earth and snow with its taloned feet, but gigantic iron manacles are locked around its legs, complete with a pair of massive chains that anchor the hut to the ground with equally large iron spikes.

In front of the hut, facing you, is an imperious looking human woman. She stands six feet tall and is objectively attractive - flawlessly unmarred milklike skin, strong but delicate facial features and bright eyes that burn with an otherwordly blue that mark her as a Jadwiga. Her platinum blonde hair flows down her back in an opalescent cascade, swirling into a loose braid that brushes the snow by her feet. She wears a beautiful robe of deep cerulean, trimmed in silver and adorned with snowy owl feathers and icy crystal shards. Her right hand grasps a silver-blue sickle that looks hewn from ice itself. Ominously flanking her on either side is a pair of hulking creatures who look to be completely comprised of ice. Eight foot tall humanoid forms, they gleam with rime on their glassy sufaces, but you can see runes carved deep into their motionless forms.

You have heard whispers of this woman, and some of you have seen her likeness here and there within Whitethrone - Geedra recalls paintings and statues of her in the Pale Tower that she assaulted with her departed friends upon first coming to Irrisen.

Nazhena Vasilliovna, of the usurper Queen Elvanna's own line and current steward of Whitethrone.

"It was only a matter of time before we were to cross paths," she says in an icy tone that rings out across the clearing. "I know your faces. Some of you were even responsible for the fall of my stronghold, and the death of my apprentice. I have been waiting for this moment...every step you have taken, I have known. Every mirror you have passed, I have been looking through. Only fitting we should meet here, in the shadow of the last tether my fallen grandmother has to the world."

"I should at the very least offer my gratitude for dealing with this fey incursion. I will admit I underestimated dear Baba Yaga's fail-safes she put into this damnable shack. I hardly expected it to birth this entire forest and draw defenses from the worlds beyond. But all of that matters little now. I will enjoy impaling your corpses on my fence."

She narrows her eyes and floats a few inches off the ground, and the two humanoid ice monstrosities suddenly stir to life, icy blue glows appearing within the ice chunks that serve as their heads. They move to defend their master.

Map

Init:

Mithas
Skäne
Nazhena
Geedra
Byakko
Krosh
Ice Guardians

Rolls:

Skäne: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Mithas: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Geedra: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Byakko: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Krosh: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
IG: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Naz: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Sorry, just to clarify... We can do spell/potion prep before the swingin' starts?


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Geedra casts Heroism on Skane and Mage Armor on herself.


Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

I think the only consumable that would be useful on Mithas would be the potion of fly and that one wouldn't make sense given the context of the situation.

"Why can't anything ever be easy."

Not wasting a moment, Mithas scoots forward and looses an arrow towards witch. Move forward a bit to be within 30 feet of her.

twang vs FF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Damage?: 1d8 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (6, 2, 3) = 17


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

I'll go with the consensus... Bull's Strength on myself, Divine Favor on the cat (for Favor Flavour... ;p). Nothing else would really make much sense until the introductions. Waiting on the Ice Queen.


Yeah, prebuffing is fine. There's been enough suggestion and context clues that something dire was waiting for you behind the barrier, so I figured you'd be going in ready since you are all full on spells and know the hut is imminent. I'll get the witch's turn posted today after work, along with a Skäne action if he isn't back online yet.


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Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

ROUND 1 Buffs/Conditions: Bull's Strength & Heroism

Seeing the icy forms, Skäne foregoes using his spear for his adamantine warhammer more fit to crack ice...

Hefting his shield, the warrior moves toward the icy foes and the witch with a murderous smile and bellowed words;

"The time of öfundarorð (words of fear) is passed Iss-íviðia (Ice-witch), now is your time to feed the ben-már (ravens)!"

Intimidate (Demoralise vs Nazhena)+Heroism: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23

20ft Move Action & Demoralise Move Action


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Apologies, got caught up in stuff around the house last night, but here we go for Round 1. Looking forward to this fight :)

Round 1

Mithas begins the fray with the jadwiga by dashing forward and firing off an arrow in her direction. It sails in between her two hulking ice guardians. As it nears her, however, the arrow starts to distort in the air around her... miss chance 1-20: 1d100 ⇒ 32.. but the projectile punches through her defenses, just barely managing to find her flesh. She clenches her teeth but does not betray herself to any vocalization of pain. Well struck, just narrowly made it past her FF AC

Skäne, bolstered by his allies, marches forward as he unslings the hefty adamantine warhammer. In a booming voice he bellows out a dire threat to the witch, who looks up from the arrow wound to lock eyes with the hardened ulfen. You can see her shrink a bit where she stands... Success.

Nazhena takes to the air, flying fifty feet above her ice minions. Her eyes start to burn a blue so fierce they look to explode from her skull. She raises a hand above her head and the already dark skies churn and blacken more.

"You may have bested my trolls, my dragons, my apprentice...but I am a Jadwiga, of Elvanna's own blood...here you will fail." Her words have lost some of their punch from Skäne's threatening demeanor and own utterances, but she manages to muster her regality nonetheless. As she brings her hand in a downwards swipe, the skies suddenly open up with a downpour of cyclonic wind and arcane-infused precipitation, blinding pellets of snow and sleet that whip through the clearing, stinging your exposed faces. Though not strong enough to cause physical harm, your find your vision obscured by the storm, and movement hampered.

Casts sleet storm on the marked area on the map. Anyone trying to move in the area must make a DC 10 acrobatics check to move half-speed. Failure means no progress, and getting a 5 or lower means you fall prone. Additionally, the storm obscures all vision.

Map (everything interior of the blue line is sleet storm area - goes 20 feet up. Nazhena is currently 50 ft. in the air which I forgot to denote.

Mithas
Skäne
Nazhena
Geedra
Byakko
Krosh
Ice Guardians


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

The goblins activates her Frostfoot hex, so she could scamper around the battlefield unhindered. She then pulled a flask of alchemist’s fire, prepping to deal with her icy foes the best she could.


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Sry woodsmoke, another ruling Q, I hope Boots of the Winterlands get me by the Acrobatics check...? If so I'll take my move N with one NE diagonal.

Before he is beset by sleet Byakko sees the witch taking to the air and determined to avoid the frustration of being grounded against another flier he'll turn to a familiar tactic, I've got to learn this spell. Cast Paragon Surge > Expanded Arcana > Shield of Wings.

Byakko Acrobatics if needed: 1d20 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 3 = 8
Enii Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Enii will doggedly follow her companion by scent and sound. Her Half move would be the same as his full if boots are working.


Yes, boots of the woodlands would allow you to move normally while in the area of the sleet storm, so you're good there.

Geedra uses some of her own frozen witchcraft to make her movements around the hampering magic easier, and draws forth a vial of clinging flame in preparedness for the melee.

Byakko moves through the the sleet storm, dashing through the driving icy pellets as he casts a spell upon himself to assist in the coming moments of the battle. Enii follows behind.

As swiftly as the stinging sleet and icy clouds descended upon you, so too do they disappear. The obscuring haze and accompanying sleet suddenly swirls and implodes upon itself, vanishing entirely. Once vision returns to normal, you see Krosh in a spellcasting stance, silvery wisps dancing around his hands that flutter away as the sleet subsides. Successfully casts dispel magic on the sleet storm. He begins trudging forward to keep everyone within his magical reach.

Above, Nazhena hisses in rage. "What insolence! You'll pay for this transgression!"

The ice behemoths lumber forward, the noises accompanying their movement that of chunks of ice grinding and shattering against one another. The first stops short of Skäne and Mithas and shifts its stance towards them. A sudden flash of deep blue light wells up deep within its crystalline structure and flares upwards to what serves as the thing's head. A blast of cold energy ejects from its frozen form and washes over the rogue, viking, oracle, and white tiger. Mithas, Skäne, Byakko, and Enii each need to make a reflex save (DC 15). Take 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5) = 14 cold damage on a failed save, or 7 on a success.

The second creature strides right up to Skäne and slams him square in the chest with a heavy fist of ice. Fortunately the armor takes most of the blow, but the cold still sinks into the ulfen warrior's bones. 6 points of damage and 1 point of cold damage to Skäne

Map

Mithas
Skäne
Nazhena
Geedra
Byakko
Krosh
Ice Guardians

Rolls:

Krosh Dispel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 1d6 ⇒ 1 cold


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Byakko Reflex: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16 = 7 Damage to Byakko
Enii Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 Evasion --> No damage to Enii


Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

DC15 Reflex Save (+Heroism): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15 Whew

Skäne staggers from icy blast and icy bash...

ROUND 2 Buffs/Conditions: Bull's Strength & Heroism

Rime-frosted beard, the vikingr returns the favour, setting about the creature with his hammer - battering at its icy hide in a furious assault!

Melee (Power Attack) MWK Adamantine Warhammer+Bull's Strength & Heroism: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 25
Damage (B, Adamantine & Bull's Strength): 1d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18

Melee (Power Attack) MWK Adamantine Warhammer+Bull's Strength & Heroism: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 16
Damage (B, Adamantine & Bull's Strength): 1d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13


Round 2

The icy breath surges out across the area, washing over those in the frontline. Byakko's feral instincts aid him in rolling out of the way of the worst of it, just feeling the frigid burn on his side. Enii is able to scramble out of the way completely, her natural feline reflexes serving her well.

Skäne raises his shield, protecting himself from the brunt of the blast of cold energy. It hisses into the shield and sends a rush of ice shards and magical snow to either side, but some does manage to penetrate his defenses. A heavy blow from the other follows it up, a glacial fist pummeling his side. Gritting his teeth, the viking retaliates ,making a wide swing with the deep grey hammer. It collides with the brute's side, a loud crack and shatter accompanying the dislodging of a chunk of rune-carved ice. The creature makes a hissing sound like the fracturing of the surface of a frozen like. When the second swing comes it, it interjects with its arm, causing the hammer to score only a glancing blow. 18 points of damage from the first swing, and a narrow miss on the second.

Nazhena glowers with her imperious glare down at Krosh, obviously personally affronted by his dismissal of her spell. She gestures towards him and an icy blue, translucent hand of glowing ghostly energy appears just in front of him. A pulse of azure energy courses through it and it reaches out to grasp him. It swipes its delicate fingers across his chest, and the half-orc shakes his head - an action made more noticeable by his antlered helm - and staggers back a step, obviously affected by some manner of witchcraft.

Over to Geedra/Byakko, and Mithas still gets his action. No moves on the map as of now.

Rolls:

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
1d6 ⇒ 4
1d4 ⇒ 3


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

<Flank Enii> Byakko growls to his friend as he switches gears from flying to slashing after a mound of frost stomps into his face. His attack arrives nearly in sync with Enii's as she arrives in her flanking position.

Byakko Power Slash: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 26
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 23
Dmg: 2d8 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 + 4 = 13

Cornugon Demoralize: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Enii Power Chomp: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 23
Dmg: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 + 4 = 14


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Geedra moves 10’ north and casts Bless on the group.

Could someone move me 10’ north on the map, please?


Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

Sorry, totally thought I had posted.

Ref Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Mithas takes the full brunt of the blast, but he still withstands the cold better than most. DR2 vs cold

Hps: 27/39

Not happy with his position, he casts vanish and swings around to the NW, planning of setting up a future flank.


Round 2 Continued

Mithas shivers from the full effect of the icy blast, flesh stinging against the biting frost. He reflexively uses his learned magical talents to vanish from sight and dash around for a more advantageous position.

Byakko and Enii move as a hunting pack, the white tiger nimbly weaving around the battlefield to get into a flanking position while Byakko readies his blade. As the cat wheels above and moves into a lunge to bite, Byakko lets loose with a devastating slash. Enii manages to gnaw her way into some of the icy armor of the construct, and the half-elf cuts a section of the glacial form away with a deafening scrape, but the brute still stands, unflinching. The attacks have obviously damaged the creature, but its visage shows no emotion.

Geedra slowly advances from the back, using her own magic to bolster the attacks and morale of her allies.

Krosh shakes his head. "I have been shut off from some magic," he informs the group. "But not all." He strides forward through the snow and touches Byakko on the back. A warming balm spreads across the oracle's flesh. Cast's Resist Energy (Cold), granting Cold Resist 10.

The ice behemoth confronting Skäne continues its pummeling, letting loose with two strikes. Skäne puts his weight behind his shield, however, and is able to push away both blows.

The second, who had a moment ago been starting to focus on Mithas, finds its quarry gone, so turns to the closest enemy and advances on Enii. Two slams come down at the tiger, but her instincts and speed allow her to dodge both.

Map
Back to the top.
Mithas
Skäne
Nazhena
Geedra
Byakko
Krosh
Ice Guardians

Rolls:

slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15


Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

With the witch too far away to for him to strike with precision, Mithas steps behind the guardian to flank with Skane, pulls out his mace, and takes a swing:

Attack vs FF: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 + 1 = 18 Damage?: 1d6 + 5 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (5, 2, 2) = 15


Sorry guys, got my covid booster shot Friday and that sucker knocked me on my ass for 2 days. I'll post Nazhena's action and everyone else can get their turn in, and Skäne can still post his.

Round 3

Mithas invisibly maneuvers to engage the ice construct trading blows with Skäne, flickering back to the realm of sight as he brings his mace down into the brute. A resounding crack and hyaline shattering fills the air as the weapon bashes down into the glacial form, leaving a spiderweb of fractures and a sizeable divot.

Nazhena glowers down on the battlefield with a sharp, imperious look smeared across her countenance. She holds out a hand again, arcane energy burning blue on her fingertips as the dark skies above churn and darken once more. A cylindrical storm of giant hailstones suddenly descend from a point above you, crashing down into the forest floor with magical force. The accompanying eldritch cold brings more snow, sleet, and freezing rain down across the area and a spiraling flurry. The frigid chunks batter against your bodies, bludgeoning against your skin and armor with enough force to send pain shooting through you and the otherwordly cold sinking into your bones. Casts Ice Storm which has a wide enough spread to hit everyone, dealing 3d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5) = 13 bludgeoning and 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8 cold damage to everyone, with no save to be made. The ice constructs seem unaffected. The area is once more considered difficult terrain, though those with boots of the winterlands, frostfoot hexes, or other such things aren't hindered by it.

No moves except for Mithas's, so I will update that with the rest of the round's actions. Back to everyone else.


Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

ROUND 3 Buffs/Conditions: Bull's Strength, Heroism & Cold Resist 10

His bones warmed by Krosh's magicks, Skäne flashes a hard grin as Mithas shifts to flank, then presses home the advantage - pummelling the icy construct with hammer blows;

Melee (Flanking Power Attack) MWK Adamantine Warhammer+Bull's Strength & Heroism: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 35
Damage (B, Adamantine & Bull's Strength): 1d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 = 12

CRITICAL CONFIRM? Melee (Flanking Power Attack) MWK Adamantine Warhammer+Bull's Strength & Heroism: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 28
Critical Damage (B, Adamantine & Bull's Strength): 2d8 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5) + 16 + 4 = 26 KRAKADOOM!

@Woodsmoke: Does the Resist Cold 10 boon negate Nazhena's cold damage on Skäne?


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Same question about the cold dmg...

Byakko's concern for his companion spurs his attacks further, meanwhile Enii turns to the brute she's been effectively dodging.

Byakko Power Slash: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 13

Power Chomp: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 15
Power Slash: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 14
Power Slash: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 13

Oof well that was rough rolling...


Female Goblin | Winter Witch 8 | AC (19)16/14/12 | HP 50/50 | Cold Resistance 5 | F+5, R+9, W+7 | Perc.+2 | Init.+4 | Darkvision

Same question about Geedra’s Cold Resistance 5.

Geedra casts Lightning Bolt at the mage.

Lightning damage 6d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 1, 3, 3) = 19

Reflex DC 18 for half.


Yep, any cold resistance anyone has will reduce the cold part of the damage by whatever amount you have. It was 8 cold on that spell.

Round 3 Cont

Byakko and Enii continue to press the attacks on the guardians they are engaged with, but neither the sword's slash nor the tiger's flurry of fang and claw are able to penetrate the hardened magical ice.

Geedra decides to repay Nazhena's airborne assault with some witchcraft of her own. She rubs her hands together and the faint metallic smell of copper suddenly cuts through the air as the goblin discharges a bolt of lightning that rips across the clearing. The jadwiga manages to shunt herself out of the full effect of the blast, but the streaking electricity still catches her side, singing her vestments and scorching her flesh. Successful save, takes half damage.

Krosh moves his arms and jingles one of the trinkets handing from his antlered helm. A familiar shower of silver sparks swirls through the area, bringing the warming balm of healing to the party. Channel energy for 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 6) = 13 healing for all.

The ice guardians continue their attempts to pummel their targets. The one between Skäne and Mithas doesn't like the bite of the warhammer and delivers two slams to the Ulfen warrior. One meets with a crack against the cold iron boss on Skäne's shield, but the other plows into his side. 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 bludgeoning damage and 1d6 ⇒ 1 cold.

The second guardian continues its entanglement with the white tiger, but the graceful feline ducks and weaves under the clumsy strikes once more.

Round 4

Skäne glowers from the strike the guardian made to his side and retaliates with a roar of defiance that accompanies the swing of the hammer. The momentum of an overhead strike brings the adamantine head down square into the construct's chest, a cacophonous smash that sends shards spraying everywhere as the weapon dives deep into the magical form. The armor like ice cracks and shatters but stays aloft, floating around a glowing azure core in the center of it. It pulses once and then detonates with a flash! Shards of ice and cold energy erupt from the explosion, sending fragments of ensorcelled ice ripping through those near it as the rippling waves of cold shear into them as well.

the golem is slain, but gets a final revenge with its Icy Destruction. Mithas, Skäne, and Byakko each need to make a DC 14 Reflex save or take 3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) = 16 slashing damage and 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 cold damage. Successful save reduces each amount by half.

Mithas up, and I'll get a map up tomorrow though still the only real movement has been mithas's 5 ft. step.

Rolls:

reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
slam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14


Male Half-Elf Lunar Oracle 8 (Dual Cursed) | AC 24 (22 w/o Shield) (T 12, FF 20/18) | HP 37/70 | Spell Slots 1st: 7/7, 2nd: 5/7, 3rd: 4/5, 4th 3/3 | Gift o'Bite 5/6 | F+7 R+8 W+6 | Init +5 | Perc +7 | 20ft Armored Move

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17 8dmg @ Half the slashing and ignore the Cold (thanks Krosh!)


Male Human (Ulfen) Vigamaðr-Lochlannach (Fighter - Vikingr) 8 | HP: 83/83 | AC: 29 T 12 FF 27 | Saves: Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +5 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | Init: +3 | Perception +3| 20ft. Move | Rage 0/17

DC14 Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

As the golem sunders, Skäne hunkers behind his shield, allowing the brunt of the icy flechettes to be deflected by his trusty bulwark. Like Byakko above, take only 8 damage and zip cold


Rogue(Scout) 7 , hp 45/45, AC 20(T14/FF16) CMD 20, Init +7, Perc +10 (+12 traps). F+5/R+10/W+3 Vanish 5/5

Ref: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Current Hp: 8/39

Doing his best to avoid the blast, Mithas still eats a face full of shards. Torn and bleeding he casts Vanish again and repositions around the other ice golem.

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