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

Game Master chadius

Hannar's bolt of flame roasts Runa, scoring a nasty burn on her side. She collapses, her mace tumbling across the yard.

Now, where did Lazar go? As Hannar moves over to get a clear shot, he bumps into something he can't see!

"What was that. I just bumped someone or something but nothing is there?"

I forgot to do the Spellcraft check when he cast. I will roll now. If it is too late then disregard.

Spellcraft vs. DC=17: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Nevermind the man behind the curtain.

You dont get away that easily shouts Hortensia, not that anyone can hear what she says in the area of silence.

With that she takes a wild swing into the space that Hannar bumped into something in.

Miss chance, low misses: 1d100 ⇒ 68

Glaive, pa: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 1 = 13
Damage, pa: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10

Hortensia feels her glaive scrape against something, even though she can't see it.

will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Darven takes the full 6 as well

Darven, seeing that Runa has been dealt with, turns to where Hortensia's glaive found something and attempts to swing at the same spot.

miss chance, lo miss: 1d100 ⇒ 51 barely
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 181d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Darven hits something, and a new coat of blood lies on his sword. "Oh boy. Here it comes." He grunts.

Lazar has taken 21 damage so far.

"I have an idea, follow my lead."

Hannar takes a 5'step back, fishes his waterskin out of his backpack and starts to splash it around him (ie. Empty squares).

Kavor Doan moves back to block the exit to the courtyard.

Kavor moves to block the courtyard entrance and watches the ball of flame come towards him.
Fire Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) = 9 Unless he makes a DC 18 Reflex Save, in which case he takes none.

Hannar splashes his waterskin nearby him. Sure enough, he sees footprints form in the puddles as the steps go west. This provokes AoOs from Hannar, Darven, Hortensia and Drootina.

Hortensia's Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Round 6
Enemy (Lazar: 8 damage, Mage Armor + Shield + Flaming Sphere Round 3, Disappeared)
Darven (+2 AC Barkskin, 31 Damage)
Hannar (10 damage)
Loni & Drootina (Loni's eagle 6 damage)
Hortensia (6 damage)
Carini (4 damage)

Round 7
Kavor (Bull's Strength, 15 damage, dagger) (Reflex Save DC 18 to negate 9 damage)

There is an area of Silence which messes with casting spells with verbal components.

Combat Map

I don't think Hannar has his staff ready. He had to take off his backpack, get out the waterskin, and splash it around.

Hannar points to the footsteps.."It worked, see!"...then he takes a potion of cure light wounds out of his backpack and drinks it...

CLW vs. Self: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Reflex, Hardy: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 18
Kavor Doan dodges the Flaming Sphere. He holds his position.
Is the Silence still up? Started in Round 2 I think.

AOO miss chance, lo miss: 1d100 ⇒ 55
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Darven moves in and swings his sword directly to the west of him.
miss chance, lo miss: 1d100 ⇒ 28 well regardless, its a miss

Silence is still up.

Hannar decides to back away from death's door a bit. Darven swings reflexively at the splashing puddle, only for it to hit a magical shield. He follows up and swings into thin air.

Not going to worry about the eagle. Hard to direct it to do things with invisible creatures and such.

Move Action
Loni takes out his Scroll of Faerie Fire.

Standard Action
He activates the scroll, targeting the general area of where Darven was swinging. (Up to you if I actually get them or not)

(I'm not sure Drootina gets an AoO against an invisible enemy... I'll wait for the results of the faerie fire for her)

Loni gets an idea and pulls forth a scroll. The area next to Darven bursts into a spray of green particles until they settle into a human-shaped outline right next to him.

Hortensia and Carini to finish the round. I'll bot them both in about 12 hours.

There is an area of Silence which messes with casting spells with verbal components.

Combat Map

Standard Action
Drootina attacks the now somewhat visible enemy!
Gore Attack (Power Attack): 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 1 = 23
Gore Damage (Power Attack): 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 3 = 8

---------------------------------------------------

CRIT - Gore Attack (Power Attack): 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 = 20
EXTRA DAMAGE - Gore Damage (Power Attack): 1d6 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 = 5

Drootina runs into the silenced field and gores something. The outline recoils and has to shove Drootina's tusks away- she dug into something extra painful!

21 damage on Lazar.

Apologies for the delay, I have been away this weekend and the wifi was very unreliable

If there is an enemy still active Hortensia just bursts into a rousing song about the necessity for controlled public spending to encourage growth while laying on hands.

LoH: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Right, back to fighting with my ranseur. I mean, glaive. I mean guisarme!

"I'll try to trip him!" Carini rushes in, slips her weapon through Darven's legs, and sweeps Lazar off his legs.

Combat maneuver, trip, mwk guisarme, improved trip, IC, Cover: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 17

Tripped and now effectively visible, Lazar tries to stand up, provoking all sorts of attacks.

Mwk guisarme, flank, cover: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 - 4 = 12
Damage, S: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9

Carini slices him once, and if he managed to stand up, he makes a mad scramble for the wall!

The field of silence fades away, and you can hear Lazar cursing. "I knew this was a bad job!"

Lots of provoking! Drootina gets 2! Darven gets 2! Loni gets 1! Kavor gets 1!

Round 7
Enemy (Lazar: 30 damage, Mage Armor + Shield, Fairy Fired)
Darven (+2 AC Barkskin, 31 Damage) (AoO vs prone, another AoO)
Hannar (10 damage)
Loni & Drootina (Loni's eagle 6 damage) (Drootina: AoO vs prone, another AoO) (Loni: AoO vs Lazar)
Hortensia (6 damage)
Carini (4 damage)

Round 8
Kavor (Bull's Strength, 15 damage, dagger) (AoO vs Lazar)

Combat Map

Well, time to stick a fork in this fight, you're almost done here.

AOO vs prone: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
potential crit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 251d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

I think that is it

If needed

attack vs standing: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 121d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

That'll do.

As the man tries to stand up, Darven digs his blade into the man's gut. He doesn't get up afterward.

Combat Over

Among Runa's possessions you find several well-written documents stating the Shadow Lodge plot to tarnish the Pathfinders reputation in the Land of the Linnorm Kings. It hinged on destroying coastal villages, and then blaming the Pathfinder Society to rally support against them.

She also has a note indicating the transport of one Rognvald Skagni. His destination is a Shadow Lodge hideout in the city of Irrisen, further north of Trollheim. With the Shadow Lodge's efforts to tarnish the Pathfinder name, the party can expect a chilly reception to go with the chilly climate.

The chest of documents will have to wait a little longer until it finds its owner...
End of Part

"I guess this means we are off to Irrisen." Darven announces as he cleans his blade on the fallen's tunic.

And now Darven is level 5. Give me a day or two to update his profile

Indeed, yes

Hortensia is now up to date

"Where are you guys going?" A group of merchants and hunters approach you the day after your investigation of the Armory. "Irrisen? We were actually planning to go there ourselves." The apparent leader, an elven merchant grins. "We've tried a few attempts to smooth things between us, and we think we're making a breakthrough. You can join us up there. The more the merrier, they say." She smiles and the other hunters cheer.

"It's cold up there. But some winter equipment. And make sure look like traders or merchants, we don't want the guards to think we're invading or something."

"Very well, we can accompany you. But, I would rather a few of us remained armed and pose as caravan guards." Darven says putting on his heavier jacket over his armor. He then fastens his cloak and lets it drape over his sword's hilt.

Hannar finds a quiet corner to change from his explorer's outfit to his cold-weather outfit.

Hortensia will also outfit herself in cold weather gear. I am no merchant or trader but I might at least pass as a caravan guard, though I dislike that such tactics are necessary. Do we know how long the journey is?

Does anyone have endure elements? I planned to spend 2pp on a wand of shield but I could switch that to endure.

"If you're going to be guards, then pretend you're hired to protect some of the merchants as VIP. I need you all to stick together." She grins.

"It should take a few days to cross into Irrisen as we're near the border. Whitethrone doesn't like Pathfinders, so you'll need to find some way to sneak into the city. I'll let you figure that out."

@Hortensia: Kavor Doan has Endure Elements enough to cover 4 PCs. That's 2 castings per day, each Extended with his rod, so each lasts 2 days. The last rod use is on Floating Disk for the chest.
"I actually am a merchant, but would still rather travel armed and armored. I can say it's the way of my people. If we need to be more subtle, I have this wand of Disguise Self that I am happy to share."
It has 49 charges but is self-only.

OK, then I shall stick with the plan and pick up a wand of shield.

I have been preparing two endure elements for my own use for my animal companion and myself.

"I'll plan on using the wand, bro." (Loni has UMD)

"Let's go be 'guards'!" Loni seems really excited at this pretend-plan, although he seems excited about many things as a gnome.

Carini looks herself over. "Caravan guard should be easy for me. It's my natural look!" She makes sure that her cold weather gear is in good shape, and thanks anyone who provides her an endure elements spell for good measure.

Carini doesn't level up, and I have no immediate purchases for her; she's ready to go.

You might want to fix your hp in your stat line Carini

Based on Runa White's notes, you set your destination for the icy walled city of Whitethrone. Many of Trollheim's residents warn of the strange folk there, and even fewer of them are willing to travel there. They warn you of the bitter cold and the unfriendly climate there.

You are able to join a group of merchants and hunters who are on a diplomatic mission to Irrisen. They suggest you buy some winter equipment from Trollheim, and then disguise yourselves as traders and merchants.

As you set off, you think about the stories about Whitethrone.

Hortensia takes 10 on diplomacy for 21

We need to be careful in Whitethrone, the place is crawling with monsters of all kinds, goblins, giants, trolls and worse, all of them considered citizens. It's likely we will be mistrusted there and there may also be lupines...

Is that a reference to wrewolves? If so Hortensia will be picking up a silver weapon

The trip to Whitethrone is long, bitter and cold. The merchants warn the party that news from Irrisen is that Pathfinders are not allowed, and they should keep their disguises on for as long as possible.

The party continues to check on their cargo, the hundred-pound heavy oak chest. It's full of documents meant for the eyes of Rognvald Skagni and his alone.

The trip seems to go well, as you approach Whitethrone you see the city's ice white walls over a couple of hills. Some soldiers of the Irrisen's Iron Guard, accompanied by rowdy ice trolls, approach the caravan for a surprise inspection. As it turns out, they just want a lot of money. And when the merchants fail to react appropriately, the soldiers and the ice trolls attack!

Chaos erupts as the caravan scatters across the wilderness. Realizing the soldiers to be too strong to fight on your own, you carefully flee from them, carrying the oak chest into the wilderness. The screams of the caravan men and Iron Guard fade into the distance.

A biting cold wind blows from the north and snow blows in blinding drifts amid numbing fog. The bone-white walls of Whitethrone, capital of Irrisen and home of Baba Yaga’s white witch daughters, rise into the frigid northern night. Somewhere within is the Shadow Lodge headquarters hinted at in Trollheim where the poor historian Rognvald Skagni is being held. Reaching this point was a difficult challenge, but gaining entry into the city itself presents the greatest obstacle yet.

I'll need a DC 15 Fort Save from you all due to the Cold Weather. Add +5 to your saves if you are wearing Cold Weather gear. Also, if you have Endure Elements active you may skip this check.

A DC 15 survival check will grant you a +2 bonus to this check.
If you fail this check, take 1d6 non lethal damage.

Well, that went south fast, or rather north! Hortensia would skip endure elements if there are others who need it in the party and we dont have enough to cover everyone. She is pretty durable.

Hortensia is unused to wilderness travel, being more of a city girl, but she gives it a go.

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

While she owns a wayfinder it is totally being left behind given how Pathfinders are regarded in Irrisen.

Fort, cold weather gear, survival bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 5 + 2 = 30

(Both Loni and Drootina have Endure Elements cast each day from two of my spell slots)

Loni doesn't mind helping someone survive out here.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Fortitude vs. Cold Weather(DC=15): 1d20 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 5 = 15

Skweeek

Kavor Doan relies on his magic. Endure Elements protects him and others, while Floating Disk carries the chest.
I can cover four people with Endure Elements. Loni and the pig are covered by his spells. So that leaves only one PC needing to make the save. Based on what Hortensia said, she volunteers to forego the spell and everybody else is covered.

You all prepare yourselves, either with magic or plain old guts.

As you approach Whitethrone, you see The Iron Guard is in full force, patrolling the city perimeter. There are a few ways to enter the town without running into the guards, however...

Do we not have a single rank of Bluff among the party? What an upstanding group we are. Hannar's untrained +4 would be the best option for that approach. We're better at Diplomacy, which could help us join a caravan, and the wand of Disguise Self could also help, but at least some Bluffing might be needed.
If we wanted to climb, Kavor Doan can use Spider Climb or Levitate as his 1/day bonded item spell.

Hortensia is willing to back up a bluff based plan, presenting ourselves as caravan guards. As a Paladin of Abadar it is a role she has taken on in the past and was the role we took coming here before we were attacked. It has the benefit of actually being the truth, not the whole truth obviously but still the truth.

My untrained bluff is +3. I am not in favour of trying to climb over as that could go badly very quickly. Happy to try and aid Kavor by standing behind him looking like a burly caravan guard.

If diplomacy is required to get a caravan master to take us on then Hortensia will happily try to diplomacise them into allowing us to join with the entirely honest account that we want to get into the city so we arent eaten by the monsters that roam outside, apprently at will and are happy to provide protection in exchange.

survial: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Fortitude+endurance+cold weather outfit+survival bonus: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 4 + 5 + 2 = 39

Well Darven will stow his wayfinder in his backpack. His sword is the lesser blade of the open road, so the glyph of the open road is on the hilt. He will try to keep it covered with his cloak.

I agree with Hortensia on this one. Let us see if we can get in with the caravan master and get into the city. I am more than willing to throw a handful of gold at it to make it easier.

Last time I got over walls with Loni, we used his Scroll of Tree Shape and people climbed his branches... but 40 ft. is a bit too high for that.

"Dudes and dudettes, let's try to get an 'in' with a caravan. Sounds like the best idea, right?" (Basically, agreeing with Hortensia on this)