GM Erich's Death on the Ice (5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Knowledge (Geography or Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Agate looks at the harbor, looks down at the dugouts, and sighs. "That's how we get to shore, then." She gathers up her things and awaits the canoes.

” It seems like it. I am holding off on calling Whiskers as he doesn’t like ships. And these smaller canoes will set him trembling I am sure. I will be glad to be on land. “

The Erutaki dugouts soon approach the Rimedrake and pull up alongside. One of the warriors stands up, pull down her hood, and hails your ship with a broad smile.

Captain Redaxe waves back and helps her crew lower a rope ladder off the ship to the restless dugouts below.

Each canoe has two Erutaki warriors in it, and has room for two of you per canoe (with Tikasak taking one space in the furthest canoe). Climbing down the rope ladder into the canoe requires a successful DC 5 Climb check to avoid falling into the water. Then go ahead and place your token in one of the canoes on the New Map

Luurg waves and responds to the greeting. First in orcish, then in common "Hey dare, I'mma Luurg! Tanks fer da ride!" He climbs down the rope ladder and climbs on into the canoe without trouble. The coconuts hanging below his belt clanging together on the way down. "Careful, coconuts swing all over."

Can't fail climb check.

Kargen waves to one of the canoes and begins cilmbing down. He glances at Luurg and his belly, and makes a pointed decision not to join the half-orc. I suppose he could always fly too.

Smiling to himself, he climbs into the canoe and greets the warriors in Common. "Hunter's blessings to you. My name is Kargen. I hear your people are hunters, yes?"

Also auto-pass the climb check.

Shaneene decides to join Kargen. She nimbly climbs down into the canoe.

Auto-pass the climb check.

Greetings Erutaki warriors! I shall gladly help row.

Agate takes the rope, looks down the side, and cautiously tries to make her way down...

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

She settles gingerly into the canoe with Luurg.

Wembly looks down at the canoes and gulps. The normally talkative gnome grows suddenly silent.

Um, so we really are getting into those? Did I mention I am not a fan of boats?

He casts heroism and guidance on himself.

climb,hero,guide: 1d20 - 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) - 4 + 2 + 1 = 15

Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Erlathan grimaces as he shimmies down the rope. "Again, I've second thoughts about not preparing that fly spell." He makes his way to the bottom and carefully steps onto a canoe. "Well then, let's get this over with, yes? To the shore, please."

The group moves into the canoes (with some reluctance). You can tell by the blank looks and nodding that the warriors are not well-versed in common, but certainly friendly enough. They seem simply to want to honor you by rowing you safely to shore.

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

As you paddle out and near the shore, a commotion to your left breaks the relative calm of the icy bay and startles you. A pair of sea creatures rise to the surface and speed toward your flotilla.

Surprise Round 1 - Bold can act
Erlathan
Black
Wembly
Luurg
White
Agate
Kargen
Shaneene
Tikasak
Canoes Move (if rowed)

You can also give me another Handle Animal or Knowledge (nature) check about the creatures. They are currently visible near the surface but will dive back under on their surprise round move. For their part, the warriors concentrate on rowing the boats to shore.

Knowledge (Nature) #1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Knowledge (Nature) #2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Agate stares in horror at the orcas racing toward the boats. She scoops up a handful of water, clutches her amulet in her other hand, and quickly murmurs some arcane words.

Using her 1 arbitrary spell for the day from her bonded amulet, to cast Elemental Body II (water).

K Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
K Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Huh-oh! We've got company. Those whales could capsize the canoes!

Shaneene quickly grabs some bat guano from her spell component pouch and mutters some arcane words. She throws a fireball out over the water, it lands between the two enemies with a bright explosion.

Fireball: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5) = 25 Reflex DC 20 for half.

K Nature: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
K Nature: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

"Herm, yup, orcas. Big ones. Not gud." Luurg stays calm though and decides to eat a banana. As he does so his arms grow exceptionally long, lengthing the reach with his spear to 10'.

For RP purposes Luurg consumes his extracts and such in the form of different fruits. Banana = Long Arm. 8mins. 10' reach.

In case the natives don't notice the whales Luurg nudges the one in front of him and points towards the killer whales.

Knowledge, Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Knowledge, Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 Monster Lore give +2 to enemy weaknesses

"Whoa, those are huge!" He grabs the nearest warrior and urgently points for them to row to land. "Go! Go!"

He draws an arrow and draws it, prepared to shoot if Shaneene's magic doesn't scare them off.

@Shaneene The two whales will be underwater (and moved) by the time your turn in the order pops up, do you want to hold (ready) the fireball for when one reappears? If not, you can amend your action.

Wembly does not like the thought of taking a swim with the creatures and summons his own orca

”Maybe a playmate will help. At least it will be more on their terms. “

he summons an augmented orca via SLA ability. If it is close to any foe it will engage in some way I assumes since Wembly cant talk to it

” Careful with your aim - this celestial one is mine.“

@GMErich I thought we had a surprise round, bold can act? I guess if they aren't hostile I'll cast Mirror Image instead.

Mirror Image: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

@Shaneene It is a surprise round, but the whales are acting too. Just wanted to get all your actions at once to speed things up this time. FYI, the Erutaki are the ones keeping it from being a full round.

@Wembly Go ahead and place the green orca wherever you conjure him. On your turn the black orca will have dived under the water and moved but the white one remains.

Kn. Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Kn. Nature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Erlathan scratches his head, frantically trying to remember something about the whales. "Blasted whales, I can't recall a thing about them! Nor can I tell if they're angry, or not. Best to be prepared, of course."

Upon hostility from the whales, ready an action to cast Flaming Sphere with Versatile Evocation to change its energy type to Electricity.

Kargen lowers his bow as the creatures get a bit closer. "I think they want to play! Let's see what happens when they get to Wembly's orca. Wemby, move it closer!"

Sorry, was interrupted and lost my post last night. Moved the green orca closer. Not sure what happens after that.

Made me research killer whale pod behavior, didn't you. Overriding its instincts (because it is a summoned creature), green orca will fight to protect the canoes and their occupants. The other two will be (initially) neutral to the interloper.

The black orca resurfaces under the third canoe, trying to flip it over and activating Erlathan's electric sphere.

However, it only succeeds in raising the ship a few feet in the air, forcing determined laughs from the two Erutaki rowers.

electric sphere: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5, 3) + 4 = 16
black reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
black capsize attempt: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

Round 2 - Bold can act
Erlathan - readied action goes off
Black Orca -16 damage
Wembly
Green Orca <gets an AOO on the black whale>
Luurg
White Orca - underwater somewhere
Agate <elemental body>
Kargen
Shaneene <5 mirror images>
Tikasak
Canoes Move (if rowed)

Luurg doesn't like the looks of what's coming. Nope, not in the least. The fat orc spreads his frosty butterfly wings and lifts off from the canoe, flying 15' over the water and eating yet another fruit: an ugly fruit. In doing so he grows, and grows, and GROWS! From where there was once a six foot fat orc, there now flies a ten foot fatter orc! Enlarge, 8mins

"No worries, Luurg n Leafy gonna stab deez big whales real gud if dey get too close!"

Green Shamu takes an opportunistic attack as Black swims past.

bite: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 2 = 31 for dmg: 2d6 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 12 + 2 = 22

Wembly's face goes from one of fascination to pure terror.

Oh no! I think they are trying to tip us over!

He casts barkskin on himself.

Meanwhile, Green Shamu will take its bite on black

bite: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 2 = 33 for dmg: 2d6 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 12 + 2 = 21

Taking advantage of his position, Shamu does his best to discourage his distant kin. You can tell that the other orca does not appreciate the new arrival's fierceness and strikes from below.

The rowers redouble their efforts to get to shore and Luurg takes to the skies, eliciting ooohs from the townsfolk.

White bite on Shamu: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 192d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 5) + 15 = 22

Round 2/3 - Bold can act
Black Orca -59 damage
Wembly <barkskin>
Green Orca ("Shamu") -22 damage
Luurg
White Orca - underwater
Agate <elemental body>
Kargen
Shaneene <5 mirror images>
Tikasak
Canoes will Move (see yellow arrows)
------------------
Erlathan

Shamu (augmented celestial orca) 63/85hp

Kargen stows his bow into his efficient quiver and opts to urge on the rowers. Looking at the beast, he pulls out a potion of fly. "Go! Row for your lives!"

Ready an action to drink if the boat capsizes.

At least I can choose when I go into the water...

"Maybe I can lead them away!" Agate flows into the water, leaving her pack in the canoe, and moves as fast as she can, zooming past the orcas.

Assuming that getting out of the canoe takes a move action, then moving 90' (swim speed for a medium water elemental).

Electric Sphere Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 3, 6) + 4 = 18

"Tip us over?! Dear gods, I'm not here to get soaked, and not in freezing cold water, either!" The arcanist raises his quarterstaff and sends a pair of magic missiles screaming towards the black orca.

Quarterstaff of Entwined Serpents: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7

Drat it! I wish I could have gotten them both in my fireball..

Shaking her fist in anger she summons two Scorching rays aimed at the Black Orca's Dorsal Fin

Scorching Ray1 Fire Damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 274d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 6) = 17
Scorching Ray2 Fire Damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 134d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1, 5) = 18

As a move action, Shaneene moves into Kargen's seat, then dimensional slides 40' into an open seat in the far left canoe

Agate dives effortlessly into the freezing water. Kargen readies a potion next to his lips. Shaneene blasts the wounded orca with one ray of fire but the second sails over its twisting form, before she slips away to a safer boat. Erlathan turns to direct the electric sphere back upon the whale and it reels before going limp in the numbing water.

Tikasak casts a spell from her canoe, aiming at the fallen whale. "Ahhhg, why do you kill our totem animals?"

@Erlathan, given Tikasak's admonition, you can change your actions...
If not, you still have your standard action as the electric sphere would do it in. Do you want to ready the staff attack should the other orca surface? Or something else?

FYI, white orca is within striking distance of green orca, below the water

Round 3 - Bold can act
Erlathan <see above>
Black Orca -85 damage <staggered?>
Wembly <barkskin>
Green Orca ("Shamu") -22 damage
Luurg
White Orca - underwater
Agate <elemental body>
Kargen
Shaneene <5 mirror images>
Tikasak
Canoes will Move

Green shamu takes the opportunity to strike the second foe

” Aw! Well if white doesn’t stop, Shamu get it!“

Bite atk: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 = 20 for dmg: 2d6 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 12 + 2 = 24

Sounds good DM, ready the staff for the appearance of another big mean orca, and use my move action to move the sphere away.

Spellcraft vs DC16: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

"You healin' da big whale... yer friends wid big whales but dey tryin' to drown us... Dis normal?" Oversized Luurg asks as he sees what the woman cast. He shrugs his shoulders and flies over the canoes where they last saw the other orca, dropping down to 10' over the water. His little butterfly wings beat furiously, lucky for him they enlarged when he did. Can't fail the DC10 fly check for sub half movement.

Luurg waits to see if one of the canoe's within reach is going to be upset, and plans to help keep the boat stable if needed.

Not sure what sort of check, if any that would be. Also, if one of the whale's provokes Luurg will give it a stab to help convince it to go away. AOO below.

The battle continues below, giving you all a chance to regroup.

A more frantic Tikasak shouts out. "You must respect the hunter's code! Kill the injured to honor their purpose, do not let them languish!"

White bite on Shamu: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 171d6 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Round 3 - Bold can act
Erlathan <readied>
Black Orca -67 damage
Wembly <barkskin>
Green Orca ("Shamu") -22 damage
Luurg <readied>
White Orca - <underwater> -24 damage
Agate <elemental body>
Kargen
Shaneene <5 mirror images>
Tikasak
Canoes will Move

Agate ducks underwater, zooms past the orcas again, bobs and wiggles and generally tries to look more interesting than the nasty firebreathing canoes.

Knowledge (Nature)?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Shaneene ponders what this hunters code might mean.

Well, hopefully that's the end of that attack.

Just in case though, she readies a couple more Scorching Rays if that White Orca shows itself within her range (45').

Scorching Ray1 Fire Damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 174d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 1) = 8
Scorching Ray2 Fire Damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 114d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 2) = 10

Kargen nods at the warrior. He understood the need to put down a wounded animal. He pulls his bow back out of his efficient quiver, nocks and arrow and fires at the wounded orca.

Attack (PBS, DA): 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 1 = 16
Damage (PBS, DA): 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12

Wembly keeps an eye out for his Shamu and any other approaching rival orcas.

Agate tries desperately to engage the orcas and prevent the bloodshed. Kargen senses Tikasak's quandary and fires his arrow, but it skips off the whale's thick back. Shaneene eyes another target.

Her hand still set upon the wounded whale, Tikasak whispers a few solemn words in Erutaki before the boat starts to pull away. "It is done. The hunt is blessed! Finish them off, so they may provide!"

The warriors push hard to row their boats closer to safety, and the first one scrapes up against the icy shore.

Round 4 - Bold can act
Erlathan
Black Orca -67 damage
Wembly <barkskin>
Green Orca ("Shamu") -22 damage
Luurg <readied>
White Orca - underwater
Agate <elemental body>
Kargen
Shaneene <5 mirror images, readied>
Tikasak
Canoes

Wait, now they want us to kill it? Okay!

"How very fickle," Erlathan sighs. "Very well, very well. Go, ball of sparks, finish off the whale. Oh, and let's not forget the staff."

Sphere: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 6) + 4 = 14
Quarterstaff of Entwined Serpents: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4

After Erlathan's renewed attacks, the black orca seeks easier prey elsewhere and tries to withdraw.

Green orca will get an AOO as it leaves the area.

black reflex vs ball: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Round 4 - Bold can act
Erlathan
Black Orca -105 damage <dead>
Wembly <barkskin>
Green Orca ("Shamu") -22 damage
Luurg
White Orca - underwater
Agate <elemental body>
Kargen
Shaneene <5 mirror images, readied>
Tikasak
Canoes

Assuming Shamu is the type to take a parting shot...

bite: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 2 = 22 for dmg: 2d6 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5) + 12 + 2 = 20

Wembly looks sad as the black orca fades

Well, I hate to say this but I'd rather have fought trolls or squids or something. Not these creatures. It is sad in a way. But at least they did not tip us over and try to eat us. Not sure they were going to try, but seems like they were not being overly friendly. I am not an expert in whales, though. So who knows.

If there are no further attacks, he will dismiss Shamu.

He is. Previous post updated...

The black orca slides under the waterline with a trail of blood.

Phew! Shaneene exclaims. She climbs out of the canoe and stands swaying on shore. My legs think I'm still on the ship, going up and down in the waves!

She offers a hand to anyone else trying to get out of their boat.

Luurg flies over and sticks the black orca with Leafy, doing his best to keep it from sinking "Don't you wanna eat the big one? Luurg tow it to shore, ok? Ok."

I'm sure with a bit of help fastening a rope to it Luurg in his large, ant hauling self can float drag this thing to shore.

Wembly can have shamu the orca help push or something possibly.

Agate sees the other whale, stunned as the conjured whale suddenly disappears - leaving nothing but a churning wake under the waves. Sensing the blood in the water, it turns and escapes the bizarre turn of events.

Combat Over!
Erlathan
Wembly <barkskin>
Luurg
Agate <elemental body>
Kargen
Shaneene <5 mirror images>
Tikasak
Canoes

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

The remaining canoes make landfall, as Luurg drags in his mighty catch. A few villagers step over to help him beach the battered and burned whale, with a curious mixture of awe and disgust upon their faces.

Tikasak is the last to step foot on shore, and she shakes her head with a hint of disappointment. "You certainly make an entrance. I'm not sure how the elders will take such a sign though."

You are a bit surprised as she simply walks away, without formally introducing you to anyone else. The town is spread across several low islets in the river delta, and also extends north into a swampy area of the mainland. On the outskirts of town, many wooden racks hold drying fish and hides, and dozens of tents provide temporary homes for those Erutaki who remain nomadic for part of the year.

Each Erutaki longhouse stands 3 feet above the ground on stout stilts, with rope-and-timber swinging bridges between many of the buildings. Each building’s timbers are carved with stylized images of arctic animals, plants, and Erutaki warriors, with each group of buildings sharing a similar style. Each islet is home to a single clan, which sports its own totem animal and artistic style. Of note is the lack of any written words or symbols in the Erutaki section of town—no signs or words are visible on any of the buildings.

On the south side of the town, near the dock, a small collection of buildings has been constructed in a markedly different style. While still built upon stilts, these buildings appear as conventional Ulfen mercantile establishments.

You can see this is where Kuokei the owl landed, and she is currently surrounded by a dozen locals - mostly children with wide smiles.

So what do you do?

Shaneene starts wandering around town, taking in the unusual buildings and clothing of the Erutaki people. She pauses where Kuokei the owl landed to explain a bit about owls to the children.

This snowy owl is named Kuokei. See how her white feathers blend into the snow? That gives her great camouflage so she can hide from predators. She can also fly very quietly, allowing her to swoop down on mice or other small animals.

Wembly wandered over to the kids, being close to their size

”well hello all. What are you playing or are you watching the owl for other than a game Either is fine. I love games and riddles but the owl is cool. Oh and I am sorry if cool is not cool to say up here. I am never sure. But whatever. I am Wembly by the way. I am not from around here. I suspect you do not get many gnomes up here. “