GM Chadius's CORE Shades of Ice Trilogy (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

Dot in here. We'll get started as soon as everyone is ready.

Ok guys, sorry for such a delay.First, me and kids all get sick with some kind of summer cold, and then when I'm ready to get started, I start having wifi issues due to my provider changing ownership. Ugh. Anyway, here we go!

The meeting in Absalom with Drandle Dreng nearly a month ago was brief, as always. I have a routine mission for you, though a dangerous routine mission, the old man whispered in the great hall in the Grand Lodge. Suffering from a cold and weak from lack of food and rest, the old venture-captain looked quite possibly the worst you’d ever seen him. Through wracking coughs he explained, An ally of ours in the Land of the Linnorm Kings—Rognvald Skagni—is writing a lengthy report on the state of government in the northern countries of Avistan. I received a letter from him just yesterday requesting several key documents from the vaults here to help him finish the report. Venture-Captain Dreng patted a large, heavy-looking chest next to him. These are the documents, and I need you to board a ship north to deliver them to Skagni. Dreng tried to stand at that point, but a fit of coughing sent him back into his seat. He gestured for a well-dressed, impeccably kept man standing in the shadows of the room to approach and whispered raspy orders to him. The man picked up a small pouch and a large key and handed them both to the party. Venture-Captain Dreng is unwell, as you can see. He wished me to give you this key and this pouch of gold. The key opens the chest, and the gold will buy you passage and get you from the Linnorm coast to Trollheim, where Skagni resides. Whatever you do, do not let the chest out of your sight and do not, under any circumstances, allow it to be searched. These documents are for Mr. Skagni’s eyes only. Are we understood? Dreng’s nameless servant waited for a reply and then smiled. Good. Now run along; Venture-Captain Dreng needs his rest.

The average daytime temperature in Trollheim during this adventure is just above freezing, and the average nighttime temperature hovers around –5° Fahrenheit.

The directions to Skagni’s home provided by VentureCaptain Dreng’s assistant are unclear, but after a few wrong turns due to poor handwriting, you finally locate your destination. But there’s a problem: it’s been burned to the ground. All that remains are the stone ruins of the small home’s walls and a few scattered piles of rubble!

Where the directions indicate Skagni’s house should be stands only the charred husk of a burnt-out building. Bits of burnt timber and ruined furniture lie scattered about, but if anything remained after the fire, it seems to have been picked over and looted. Though most of the walls are blackened with soot, a patch along the former front of the residence still shows relatively clean, white walls. Smeared across those white walls, written in reddish-brown letters four feet tall, are the words, Pathfinders go home.

The chest is going to be a concern for you. The chest is 2 feet wide, 4 feet long, and 3 feet deep. It’s made of heavy oak bound with iron, and locked with an enormous, finely crafted steel lock. The chest weighs 100 pounds, and it’s imperative that you keep it safe—failing to do so means a loss of respect within the Society. Take some time to decide how to handle the chest, and any last travel arrangements or purchases before you begin dealing with the house. I hate flashback intros.

Darven would purchase some cold weather clothing prior to departing to the north. He will leave his travelers outfit behind to save on some weight.

In regards to the chest. Darven can either assist in carrying it. Or be free to protect it

"Well this is a warm welcome." Darven says looking around at the charred remains of the house. "I wonder where Skagni is since he is obviously not here."

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22looking for tracks that may have been made right before the fire was set.

Wearing his cold weather outfit and holding his staff, Hannar glances around the area....

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 13

"Well now, at least they spelled the message right."

A gnomish man with scraggly blond hair and thick eyebrows follows along the party. His unwashed face and dirty appearance seems to be intentional as you don't smell much foul odor coming from the gnome. He has various scrolls and carrying a spell component pouch.

"Yo, dudes. This is Loni right here." Loni sports a surfer-dude kind of tone to his voice. He points to himself with a smile on his face, and then gestures to a creature next to him "and this is my far-out companion Drootina."

A boar next to Loni grunts and snorts, knowing she has been introduced to the party.

Before the journey
"Yo, it's going to be cold huh? Gotta prepare myself for the cold... with nature magic!"
Going to prepare 2 endure elements each day, one for him and one for the boar. Would do others but he doesn't get very many spells per day...

During the journey
Loni, with his little body, proves no use with the heavy chest. He tends to scrub his hair, usually messing it up more than helping, and has other mannerisms by dusting off his clothes or repeatedly saying "Wow!" to any even remotely awe-inspiring natural phenomenon along the way.

At the place
"Man, that's no good! All that wood going to waste... that is a shame." Loni snaps like coming out of a daze. "I mean, those poor people too! Clearly people don't want us here, dudes, but that's just too bad for them!"

Loni will Aid Another on Darven for the Survival check (can't fail to help)

The dwarf, in his full plate armor and runecarved Waraxe, looks at the chest disapprovingly.
"I'm not just a warrior, wizard, and diplomat; I'm also a merchant. And you know why so many in the merchamt trade use boxes that are 10 cubic feet or less? You get a Wand of Shrink Item and that's what it can do. Here, we'll need to go with another option."
He finds a wizard willing to rent access to a spellbook, then leans the spell Floating Disk.
15 gp. Since he is not being threatened or distracted, he will Take 10 on the Spellcraft check.
He'll pick up a Lesser Rod of Extend Spell. Probably a useful thing to have.
Kavor Doan will prepare Floating Disk twice each day, cast it in the morning with the rod before donning his armor, and have the chest floating along behind him for ten hours at a time. If he needs to re-cast it, he'll take the armor off if time permits, or risk the ACP if not.
He'll also prepare Endure Elements twice. Extended with the rod, he can cover a person for two days with each casting, so four people continually. The dwarf will also wear his furs (and bring along his cleats and snowshoes from From Under Ice) so as to blend in, though the spell provides him the best protection.
Will cover himself with Endure Elements, Hannar and Darvin if they wish, plus another PC who might show up.

Hortensia is a tall, powerfully built human woman in heavy armour carrying an alarming array of different weapons. She spent most of the sea journey below decks, with the sound of retching occasionally floating up from below.

Far more comfortable on solid ground she regards the chest and Kavor. Save your magic Kavor, I think I can probably handle this if you can get it strapped up properly.

Reaching the house she regards the ruins with concern. This is not a good sign. Se makes the sign of The Key and sweeps across the area for signs of corruption.

Peception plus detect evil: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Hortensia has cold weather gear but she would appreciate an endure elements if there is one going spare. At 100lbs the chest will push her into heavy load but given she is wearing heavy armour anyway it doesnt further imepede her.

"Hortensia, you can carry it if we need to move at night. This is the exact intended use of Floating Disk, and I'll not be casting many spells once I put my armor on. It'll also be good to keep the chest safe if there is a battle, or if there is difficult ground to cross."
He's casting an Extended Floating Disk every morning. If Hortensia insists on carrying the chest anyway, he'll roll his eyes but he won't stop her."Saving his magic" is not really a goal when he is in fighter-mode.
He'll also cast Endure Elements on her.

Thank you for the Endure Elements. My characters who can, usually have a wand.

"It is too bad I am unable to cast the Invisibility spell yet. It would be usefull in hiding the chest from most."

Hortensia shrugs, As you wish Kavor, if you think that will work fine. I do think we might stand out a bit wandering around the frozen northlands with a magically floating box.

Carini purchases a suit of cold weather gear before heading up north. 8 gp "Pleasure to meet you all, I'm sure." She looks over he companions and sees that Dreng has selected a capable group. At least, that's how they look.

Is there another Endure Elements available? Carini could use one. She's also going to be able to help with the chest in a pinch, but it sounds like we've got that covered with the Floating Disc.

"I've got this new cold weather gear, so that'll do in a pinch, but if one of you can make the cold just go away, that'd be even better!" She busies herself by investigating for tracks or other signs around the house.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Survival, aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

The burned out house is devoid of anything of value, and tracks lead out of the ruins in almost every direction. It doesn't take long to surmise that whoever did this, and looters, made of with anything of value. From the outside, and from the cover of snow on the charred wooden beams, it appears that the house was burned down at least a week ago, likely longer.

"Written in blood too. Nice touch" Darven looks around to the others.

"Any wun else have an bright ideas on where to go next?"

Carini tries to speak under her voice without drawing attention to herself... or the matter of which she speaks.

"I hate saying 'don't look now,' but DON'T LOOK NOW." She nods her head slightly to the north. "There's a group of folks up there watching us as I speak. I think they're waiting on a signal of some sort. Ideas?"

Bluff: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17 to use body language to make it look like she's not talking about the group that's watching us

Kavor Doan does not have his axe in hand, though he is wearing his armor.
"We need to find Skagni. Perhaps we can defuse this situation with kind words. Shall I? Or Hortensia, perhaps you?"
Despite being an 8-Cha dwarf, he is almost as good at Diplomacy as Hortensia, but he doesn't speak Skald and she does.

Loni whispers. "People watching us? Gnarly! I dunno, dudes. Do we want to shoot the breeze with them and see what they have to say?"

Upon hearing about possible attack, Hannar casts Mage Armor upon himself.

Hortensia is nothing if not direct. Hefting her glaive over her shoulder she turns to the skulking group and calls out in Skald.

Hey, you lot, can you tell us anything about what happened here?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

At Hortensia's callout, Loni commands Drootina to defend Hortensia. "Defend her, girl! Good girl!"

Kavor Doan draws his wand of Shield, stays where he is, and waits for the strangers to reply to Hortensia.

Pokepoke, is this thing still on?

Previously on Pathfinder Society:

Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng gave you a treasure chest to deliver to Rognvald Skagni in the Land of the Linnorm Kings- a region full of ice, legends and Ulfen. You travelled to his home of Trollheim under orders to not allow anyone else to see the contents.

Upon reaching the town you find a note written in blood: "Pathfinders Go Home." Skagni's home has been burnt to the ground. As you begin searching, your keen eyes notice several thugs lying in wait.

Hortensia calls them out, and they step forward with throwing axes drawn. Another one appears from the back and points his longspear at Hortensia. "Leave the pretty leader alone. Take out everyone else."

Round 1
Kavor
Hortensia
Hannar
Enemy
Darven
Loni
Carini

Kavor, Hannar and Hortensia realize danger is afoot and spring into action before the thugs can move!

"They like you!" says the wizard to the paladin.
Kavor Doan uses his wand of Shield (now at 30) and sheaths it.

Hah, I think not! Your vile calumnies will not be permitted, come and taste cold steel if you dare!

Hortensia draws her glaive as a move action and begins to inspie her commrades with her speech! +1/1 to hit for everyone.

Casting a glance over her shoulder she mutters, Let them come to us friends

Hortensia has combat reflexes and a reach weapon, I will normally post them in a spoiler. If i forget or you need to roll them yourself go ahead. She only gets two per round and will always power attack unless I say otherwsie.

Not sure if my Mage Armor was activated before combat started or not. If it did, I will hold until the enemies move, if not I will cast Mage Armor now.

Hannar, you can cast Mage Armor before the battle started. Carini mentioned you were being watched, and Hortensia called them forward. That's more than enough time to put up your defenses.

Hortensia challenges the thugs, and two of them look at the boss, who shakes his head. Instead they throw an axe at Drootina and Darven.

Yellow's Axe vs Drootina: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Red's Axe vs Darven: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

They pull out another throwing axe and advance. Hortensia makes them pay, instantly cutting the thug and his Red jacket down.

The thug with the White headband sees two juicy targets and calls his friend over before throwing it.
Even is Darven: 1d2 ⇒ 1
White's Axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The thug with the Blue belt throws his axe at Drootina.
Blue's Axe, Into melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 4 = 2
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"Boss! Cover us while we grab another axe!" The Blue and White thugs are currently unarmed. The boss runs into the side and lunges at Darven.

Boss's Longspear: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Hannar takes a throwing axe to the arm, while the boss's longspear scratches Darven.

Round 1
Darven (7 damage)
Loni & Drootina
Carini

Round 2
Enemy
Kavor
Hortensia
Hannar (4 damage)

Hortensia inspires you. You get a +1 bonus to attack and damage.

Ummm...I don't see me being a listed target...unless I missed something. Also, is "red" the leader?

Darven gets into the face of the leader, coming down with his long sword and drives his shield into the her/him...

attack vs red, longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
attack vs red, shield bash: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Did my math wrong on the double attack. I forgot to add in the two-weapon fighting. Just ignore the shield bash

Did you add in inspire? To prevent me keep asking can people please note it in their dice rolls so its clear. Thanks!

No, but I will remember to include it next time

Move Action
Loni comes up behind Darvin, taking out his Wand of Cure Light Wounds.

Standard Action
He uses it!
Wand of Cure Light Wounds (Darven): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Drootina, attack!"

Standard Action
Follow command, she attacks the one in front of her. (Targeting Yellow)
Gore Attack (Power Attack): 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 1 = 23
Gore Damage (Power Attack): 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 3 = 9

CRIT - Gore Attack (Power Attack): 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 1 = 11
EXTRA DAMAGE - Gore Damage (Power Attack): 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 3 = 10

Carini quickly readies her guisarme--a beautiful example of the weapon, very finely crafted--and she steps around her companions until she has a clear line on the leader. She slips her weapon between the man's legs and tries to put him on the ground.

She appears ready to strike should he attempt to stand.

Hannar moves 20', raises his right hand, and launches a blast of fire at one of the men...

[dice=ranged Touch vs. "White"]1d20+4+1+1[/dice]
[dice=possible Fire damage vs. "White"]1d6+1+1+1[/dice]

Applying Point-Blank and Precise Shot feats and Inspire to the rolls. Looks like a clean shot without cover, but please adjust if I am wrong.

Nevermind. 9 days in a row of bad rolling on the games now.

Am I actually up? I am bolded but there is an un-bolded enemy before me.

Opps, thought we were on round 2, sorry.

@Hannar, The enemy could target you or Darven, so I rolled a 1d2.

@Kavor, you are up, sorry about that.

The wizard moves into position, charges his axe with arcane power, and strikes at Yellow.
Attack, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17
Damage, IC, Arcane Strike: 1d10 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 13

Darven steps up to the plate and cuts into the leader with his longsword. Loni carefully moves around the longspear and heals most of Darven's wound. Carini takes the opportunity to trip the leader. "Help me, you idiots!"

Drootina tears right into the Yellow thug's leg, and he howls in pain. "No one told me they had a pig!"

Hannar's blast singes one of the burnt walls as Kavor moves up to the thug with the Yellow gloves. He quickly parries the dwarf with his heavy steel shield. "Heh, and they said this was a waste of money!"

Round 2
Kavor
Hortensia
Hannar (4 damage)
Enemy (Red Prone 15, Yellow 9)
Darven (2 damage)
Loni & Drootina
Carini

Hortensia watches the battle erupt around her, and makes her move.
Hortensia inspires you. You get a +1 bonus to attack and damage.

"Hey bro, she doesn't like to be called a pig!" Loni exclaims back, a little flustered by the comment.

Drootina seems to not really care, just trying to follow Loni's instructions.

Taking a step back Hortensia continues to inspire her allies, See them fall like wheat before the scythe, it is time to dispense with the chaff...

Taking a step back she swings at the enemy.

Attacking yellow

Glaive, inspire: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10
Damage, inspire: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16

Maintaining inspire

I see now. I misread the post. Sorry.

Hortensia swings, but the thug with the Yellow gloves deflects her spear against his shield. "I love this thing. Someone help the boss!" He sees three targets ahead of him and swings his throwing axe.

1 is Carini, 2 is Drootina, 3 is Kavor: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Yellow's Axe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The thug with the Blue belt readies his axe and carefully steps up to Kovar.
Blue's Axe vs Kovar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The thug with the White bandana draws his axe and tries to run to his boss. Carini sees it coming though, and lunges with her guisarme. He ducks under it and gets to the Red guy unharmed. "Come on. If you die, I don't get paid."

"I know that. Get this oaf away from me." The Red leader puts up his defenses and stands up, provoking an attack from Darven and Carini.