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

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

If I am understanding the battle map correctly, we're on a rise and the excavation site is below us in a pit. Does this mean that with flying Luurg should be able to charge the far zombies at Svala correct? His fly speed is 60' so they are in charge range. I'll roll the charge damage, etc in a spoiler. If I'm misunderstanding the map and can't charge then Luurg will simply double move to the same location.

"LUURG IS AH COMIN', HOLD ON HOOTS!" And with that battle cry the obese orc with perfect teeth takes off on a tear with his butterfly wings, his giant axe poised to strike the first zombie that dares intercept his path!

It is a big open pit, so the charge is on!

Other than the daily barkskin, no other buffs at start of encounter

Wembly remains mounted upon Whiskers, and both take off after the departing Luurg. Flying 70' out and 10' up...

Right behind you, big guy!

He spots the black zombies and hits two with a glitterdust...

DC19 or blinded

I'll have Endure elements, Mage Armor, and Heroism cast.

Eww! I've never heard of this kind of zombie before.

Shaneene tosses a fireball towards the fight Fireball +1CL: 9d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 4, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2) = 30 [Ref DC 20 for half

Shaneene deftly fills the far plateau with flames that weaken the walkers. Wembly zips up and follows up with glitterdust, but the spell falls flat. Luurg's valiant charge connects, but the zombie's skin is hardened from the elements and his axe-blade finds it harder than usual to cleave.

One of the zombies growls and steps to the half-orc, smashing into him with its chilled fists. Luurg sees his wounds instantly covered with the dreaded blackfrost poison and feels his body straining to move.

Will need Need 4 Fortitude saves from Luurg (2 vs poison then 2 vs transmutation)

Tikasak races to aid the fallen explorers. Kargen sees a small creature emerge from behind the table in the pit and race across the icy ground.

The Saumen kar Ainamuuren yells out to Kargen as he bounds into the pit. "I will try to fix the runes while you destroy the scourge."

brown reflex vs fireball: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
tan reflex vs fireball: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
brown will vs glitterdust: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
tan will vs glitterdust: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
tan slam vs Luurg: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 311d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (4) = 13
tan slam vs Luurg: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 321d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + (6) = 20
Kargen's Knowledge Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Round 1/2 - Bold can act
Red Zombie
Cyan Zombie -16 damage
Brown Zombie -45 damage
Shaneene
Wembly
Whiskers
Luurg -33 damage <Need 4 Fortitude saves>
Tan Zombie -22 damage
Tikasak
Black ???
Kargen
Ainamuuren
--------------------------------------
Agate
Erlathan
Svala
Kuokei -47 damage <down>

"A Tupilaq! Tikasak, watch yourself! It's invisible, but just in the pit from you!" Kargen grunts and lines up a shot down the pit. Erastil's wrath at the evil surges through him and he fires several times at the invisible creature.

Activate Judgement. Targeting the Tupilaq

Attack (RS, Judgement, Heroism): 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 22
Damage (Judgement): 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Attack (RS, Judgement, Heroism): 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 36
Damage (Judgement): 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Attack (RS, Judgement, Heroism): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 13
Damage (Judgement): 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 33
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2) + 12 = 18

Agate works her way back around the corner of the pit and aims two searing beams of fire at the remaining zombie. Scorching Ray, both beams at Red.

Ranged touch #1, point-blank shot: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13
Fire damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 5, 3) = 14
Ranged touch #2, point-blank shot: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15
Fire damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 5) = 12

Cantrips: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Spark, Prestidigitation
L1: Detect Undead, Magic Missile x2, Burning Hands x2, Protection From Evil
L2: See Invisibility, Scorching Ray x2, Protection From Arrows, Blur
L3: Tongues, Dispel Magic, Greater Stunning Barrier, Flame Arrow, Fireball
L4: Arcane Eye, Greater Flaming Sphere, Secure Shelter, Fire Shield
L5: Telepathic Bond, Fire Snake

Kargen fires his arrows straight down the pit wall and two of them stick into something near the ground before disappearing. Agate nearly handles her threat as it menaces closer with two bolts of flame.

Round 1/2 - Bold can act
Red Zombie -39 damage
Cyan Zombie -16 damage
Brown Zombie -45 damage
Shaneene
Wembly
Whiskers
Luurg -33 damage <Need 4 Fortitude saves>
Tan Zombie -22 damage
Tikasak
Black Tupilaq -39 damage
Kargen
Ainamuuren
--------------------------------------
Agate
Erlathan
Svala
Kuokei -47 damage <down>

"Luurg, friend, looks like you could use some help," Erlathan calls, stepping into a personal-sized portal and reappearing next to Whiskers. "How about some more... fire, hmm?" Taking out a brass dragon scale, Erlathan weaves an incantation and exhales a jet of flames in a straight line.

Dimensional slide 70' for 1 point
Dragon's Breath, 60 Foot Line (Fire), Spend 1 point: 11d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5, 1, 3) + 4 = 43
vs Tan, Brown, and Cyan, DC 21 Reflex for half

The breath of the dragon reduces the row of zombies to a thin line of poisonous ash. Svala takes out a wand and gently taps poor Kuokei, who hoots excitedly and rises up triumphantly over the barrier to survey the scene.

The remaining zombie in the pit turns its attention toward the giant invader. As it steps through the poisonous embers on the ground - a miasma of the wretched dust rises around it and follows it, speeding up its movement and hastening its attack.

"They just crawled of the pit and attacked us! What if more will come?" Asks Svala of her saviors.

cyan reflex vs Dragon's Breath: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
brown reflex vs Dragon's Breath: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
tan reflex vs Dragon's Breath: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
CMW wand charge: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 8) + 3 = 15
red slam vs Ainamuuren: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 = 271d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Ainamuuren fort save vs poison: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Round 2/3 - Bold can act
Red Zombie -39 damage
Cyan Zombie -80 damage <destroyed>
Brown Zombie -109 damage <destroyed>
Shaneene
Wembly
Whiskers
Luurg -33 damage <Need 4 Fortitude saves>
Tan Zombie -86 damage <destroyed>
Tikasak
Black Tupilaq -39 damage <invisible>
Kargen
Ainamuuren -13 damage
--------------------------------------
Agate
Erlathan
Svala
Kuokei -32 damage <fly 5 feet up>

Fort Save vs Poison, Heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 6 + 2 = 33
Fort Save vs Poison, Heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 6 + 2 = 26
Fort Save vs Transmutation, Heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 27
Fort Save vs Transmutation, Heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 34

Luurg's healthy diet and less than stellar personal hygiene seems to bolster his resistance to the poison.

"Oh mang, yer fire real hot mang!" Groans Luurg as beads of sweat start to drip off his bald head. "Almost outta zombies, but I found one!" He zips back across the battlefield to lay it low with his axe.

"Luurg comin' big giant guy, no be 'fraid!"

Adamantine Butchering Axe, PA, Heroism, Charge: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 263d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4) + 6 + 6 = 25

Wembly figures all the firepower and giants can handle the remaining zombies.

He urges Whiskers to land amid the fallen humans and tries to aid them.

Hi, I am Wembly! We are here to help. Who is most hurt? he smiles, hoping they can understand him.

UMD: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39 CLW Wand

He taps the owl or other if more injured is indicated by any of the fallen.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

@Luurg give me a will save as you charge in...and another fortitude save (vs poison) as you enter the cloud around the zombie.

Fort Save vs Poison, Heroism: 1d20 + 11 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 6 + 2 = 27
Will Save, Heroism: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10

Way to go Erlathan!

Shaneene strides forward and conjures fiery rays towards the red zombie.
Scorching Ray1 Fire Damage: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 284d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5, 1) = 15
Scorching Ray2 Fire Damage: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 154d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 5) = 11

Luurg blazes across the open pit, the icy wind stinging his eyes. As he skirts the largest opening in the center of the rune, he hears indistinct but horrible whispers in his head and the vaguest glimpse of a shadowy figure out of the corner of his eye, seemingly emerging from the lowest pit. Bearing down past the bizarre thoughts, he completes his initial charge.

Thus, Luurg and Shaneene combine to eradicate the last zombie with vengeance. Wembly and Tikasak arrive at the still smoldering camp to provide aid to the fallen explorers, who all seem wounded and unconscious. "They all need aid, new friend." Svala says to the newly arrived gnome.

The veiled Tupilaq leaps over the trenches nimbly, certain of its prey - but too slow to reach it before you all react again. You can almost pinpoint its location by its clattering jaws.

Ainamuuren forces a conjured sheet of ice into the pit to heal the rift. The ice from the intact sections of the rune flow over and incorporate the newly-created ice, and a faint blue glow seems to flow through the ice, infusing it with magical power. Satisfied, the Saumen kar looks up to the next rune-break and exhales.

GM roll: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Round 2/3 - Bold can act
Kargen
Ainamuuren -13 damage
-----------------------------------
Agate
Erlathan
Svala
Kuokei -32 damage <fly 5 feet up>
Shaneene
Wembly
Whiskers
Luurg -33 damage
Tikasak
Black Tupilaq -39 damage <invisible>

Kargen steps up to the pit, looking down at the invisible tupilaq. He smirks and raises his bow. He pours Eratil's wrath into it and fires a series of shots directly down at it.

Activate Bane as swift action
Attack (DA, RS. PBS, Judgement, heroism, bane): 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 20
Damage (DA, judgement, PBS, bane): 1d8 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 + 1 + (2, 6, 4, 5) = 32

Attack (DA, RS, PBS, Judgement, heroism, bane): 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 24
Damage (DA, judgement, PBS, bane): 1d8 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 + 1 + (4, 4, 4, 5) = 34

Attack (DA, RS, PBS, Judgement, heroism, bane): 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 23
Damage (DA, judgement, PBS, bane): 1d8 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 + 1 + (2, 3, 4, 3) = 24

Uncertain of what Kargen is aiming at, Agate moves back from the pit and smears something across her eyes while chanting. Casting See Invisibility.

Cantrips: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Spark, Prestidigitation
L1: Detect Undead, Magic Missile x2, Burning Hands x2, Protection From Evil
L2: See Invisibility, Scorching Ray x2, Protection From Arrows, Blur
L3: Tongues, Dispel Magic, Greater Stunning Barrier, Flame Arrow, Fireball
L4: Arcane Eye, Greater Flaming Sphere, Secure Shelter, Fire Shield
L5: Telepathic Bond, Fire Snake

Kargen's salvo is without flaw and he sees the construct crack in half from his god's wrath. I missed its DR/10 from the previous attacks, but your bane more than did the trick anyway.

As the giant finishes the first rune repair, a rumbling fills the pit. Something is about to emerge from the largest rune-break.

Round 3 - Bold can act
Agate
Erlathan
Svala
Kuokei -32 damage <fly 5 feet up>
????
Shaneene
Wembly
Whiskers
Luurg -33 damage
Tikasak
Black Tupilaq -79 damage <invisible, destroyed>
Kargen
Ainamuuren -13 damage

Erlathan steadies himself. "Why do I get the feeling whatever's about to emerge isn't going to be one of our friends?" The wizard ponders aloud. Delay

Svala makes a quick ticking noise and Kuokei rounds her body and lands on her shoulder with a practiced grace. The explorer taps her once more with her wand.

The ground fractures further in the pit and another blackfrost zombie begins to emerge from underground, struggling to rise to its feet and snarling wildly at the giant.

Ainamuuren looks up to his interpreter with an odd sense of pleading that surprises you. "Can any of you help repair the runes? The rest can stop the invasion from below!"

CMW wand: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 = 11

Round 3/4 - Bold can act
Red Zombie
Erlathan
Shaneene
Wembly
Whiskers
Luurg -33 damage
Tikasak
Kargen
Ainamuuren -13 damage
--------------
Agate
Svala
Kuokei -21 damage

Luurg flies to the south closer to the others and grabs up another snack. This one is clearly an ugly fruit, which he chomps down in one bite. "Ugly fruit make Luurg extra strong!" As he does so his well formed gut quickly redistributes itself into thick muscles along his chest, back, arms and legs. His body continues healing naturally.

STR mutagen, 80mins. +4 STR -2INT, +2 Natural armor. Fast healing 5 tick.

Shaneene chants arcane words and gestures. Mirror Image: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Then she moves closer to Ainamuuren.

What can I do to help?

Kargen nods as he sees the tupilaq fall. The Hunter spits down the pit at it. Then he looks up to see a new zombie freeing itself from the ice. He bring his bow up to fire on the new target.

Swift Action to use Bane on undead.

Attack (RS, DA, heroism, judgement, bane): 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 29
Damage (DA, judgement, bane): 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 3 + 1 + (6, 5, 5, 1) = 32

Attack (RS, DA, heroism, judgement, bane): 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage (DA, judgement, bane): 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 3 + 1 + (6, 6, 6, 4) = 35

Attack (RS, DA, heroism, judgement, bane): 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 12
Damage (DA, judgement, bane): 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 3 + 1 + (1, 4, 1, 5) = 23

"The wand!" Agate shouts. "The one that Seshu gave us!"

Erlathan was the one examining it last it was mentioned, so I guess we should assume he has it?

Agate rushes in the direction of the new zombie, gauges the distance, and sends missles of force at it. Not quite in range for Scorching Ray, so Magic Missile it is.

Force damage: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 2, 3) + 5 = 17

Cantrips: Read Magic, Detect Magic, Spark, Prestidigitation
L1: Detect Undead, Magic Missile x2, Burning Hands x2, Protection From Evil
L2: See Invisibility, Scorching Ray x2, Protection From Arrows, Blur
L3: Tongues, Dispel Magic, Greater Stunning Barrier, Flame Arrow, Fireball
L4: Arcane Eye, Greater Flaming Sphere, Secure Shelter, Fire Shield
L5: Telepathic Bond, Fire Snake

Wembly will smile and tap another of the fallen with his cure wand.

Good thing we got here when we did!

umd: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Wembly heals a second explorer as Kuokei celebrates with a series of shoulder dips. Tikasak and Svala meet up again across the smoldering barricade with a firm shoulder brace and a traditional kunik (touching of noses).

As the zombie struggles to free itself from the ice ground that still clutches it, Agate and Kargen's missiles are more than a match for it and it slumps over before fading away to vile dust.

The pit is quiet again, save for Ainamuuren moving over to another rune-break to repair it.

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

Alright, we are basically out of combat now (thanks to all that bane and fire damage! It was not so easy when I played it...)

A new zombie will attempt to emerge from the pit again every three rounds, but as long as several of you are on guard duty, you can do enough damage to destroy it easily (DR/5, vulnerable to fire, 60 hp). No need to roll it out.

You can either let the Saumen kar repair all the runes or use the wand of ice shape (touch spell) to do it yourself. The problem is anyone attempting to fix the rune exposes themselves to the poison that surrounds each break (and it is kind of nasty). So do you want the giant to bear it all, or do you want to use the wand and risk exposure for one or more of you? Let me know how you want to handle it.

Damn, its too bad Luurg can't use that wand, he's poison saves are excellent. This fight is very ranged friendly, and we're set up very well for that!

Luurg zooms over to the others, especially 'Hoots' to make sure they are ok and don't need any special Orc med'cin. "All good? We brought big frost giant guy. He not mad we kilt his bear. Was nervous." Luurg flashes his pearly whites then zooms off to make sure the Giant is doing ok.

Kargen maintains overwatch, casting a spell to add fire damage to his arrows. "I can cover you from us here."

Happy to let the giant do it, unless someone wants to get down in the pit. Kargen can't use that wand though.

I say let the giant do his thing. I'd be glad to case infernal healing if needed.

Wembly nods.

The Giant has a vested interested in restoring the seal to protect his lands and kin. We should assist him as best we can, but he seems to have it under control. Getting the injured out of here will also be important, especially if something goes wrong with the seal. Not saying something is going to go wrong, but if it does, it is good to have a backup plan.

"Agreed," Erlathan chews on a leaf of peppermint to remove the last vestiges of charcoal from his breath. "We know far less about the seal than they might, and besides, we did just take down nearly a dozen undead. Might as well leave something for the giant to do!"

"Very well," says Agate, looking relieved.

Agate can use the wand, but has a lousy Fort save even with her bonus against poison.

The great Saumen kar forms two more ice sheets, then he and Luurg crack them into appropriate shapes to use for the remaining fissures with hand and axe. Halfway through, the giant pauses for a moment as the posion's effect begin to overtake him, and a strange black foam erupts from his mouth. He coughs the acidic sludge from his body with an echoing roar, then quickly returns to his job of forming the rune shape whole.

As soon as the rune is completely repaired, it glows with a bright flash like lightning. Suddenly, the entire ground folds and buckles as the cavern leading to the buried village below collapses. Luckily the fixed rune remains intact.

Wiping his chin of the last remnants of the blackfrost poison, Ainamuuren strides over to Svala with a frown.

Svala takes the words, then turns to her crew. "Rebury the site and post warnings in Ulfen, Erutaki trail signs, pictograms, whatever you can think of..."

She then turns to you all as you gather the remaining items and help to secure the site. "Thank you for saving us. We would not have lasted another minute. I should have left the moment Kuokei warned me. It's just... the lure of this place was strong."

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

Although it is still cold, you seem to be getting more used to it Icewalker boon, and the journey back to Iceferry is without further incident.

Before returning to his home, Ainamuuren offers to show you a bit of the runic tattoo magic that marks him Runic Tattooing boon and the explorers share their knowledge of arctic adventuring and lore Varki Archaeology boon over the nightly campfires.

Venture-Captain Torrsen congratulates you on your return, and listens with great interest to the description of the adventures you've had and all the new allies you have made along the way.

Wembly blinks at the praise and thanks from the VC.

Um, well...you are welcome. I didn't know how significant the issue would be until we arrived and then we saw first hand the death it was churning out from the ice. All very messy. But we had help. I hope we made permanent friends in the region.

Luurg is happy to help the big mang shape the ice and grows a bit concerned as the poison seems to have some effect on the giant. "When we done Luurg fix you real gud med'cin ok? Ok."

While Svala and the others make preparations to close down the excavation, Luurg taps the giant with a wand, hoping to heal the being's poison damage. Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 2

"You ok? Need more? We eat gud fruits later, celebrate big win here n rest our bodies up for long trip home ok? Ok." Hopefully someone translates for the big man, but regardless, Luurg keeps trying to communicate as best he can.

------

It was obvious Luurg enjoyed the trip up, but its even more obvious he's enjoying the return trip even more. They did what needed to be done, no one was killed, and they all got to learn some new stuff. "Luurg like the warm, but dis cold stuff not so bad neither." He pops another flash frozen grape into his bottomless fruit pit.

------

"We dun real gud Big Boss Mang, real gud. Frozen people kinda odd about whales n stuff but dey little ones real cute. Feel bad dey not grow much fruit, hard to eat meat all day I bet."

Fun Game!

The Venture Captain agrees with your assessments. "Yes, let us hope our name flourishes to the peoples here."

Scenario complete

Well done! And thanks!

Agate takes a close look at the ice rune and jots down some notes before the party leaves. She seems to grumble less on the trip back, and takes a keen interest in Ainamuuren's tattoo magic and Svala's tales of her past archaeological trips. At Iceferry, though, she is already rummaging through her notes and making plans for her next excursion into the Pathfinder library in Absalom...

Kargen spends a couple more weeks with Tikasak and her tribe, hunting and trapping. He trades tips on tracking in the snow and learns how to carve in bone.