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Holding the lit torch carefully, Obad'of melts the thin layer of ice and frees the ribbon. Bringing it back to the race official is a bit awkward, as he lacks the speed this time for his belly slide. But when he hands the ribbon over, it is undamaged!
"That's two! And I admit I've never seen a belly slide like that before. Is that a thing you do in the Expanse"
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Kashkura begins to make her way across the ice. Midway through she places a foot on a particularly slick bit of ice and falls! The ice cracks, but holds. She gets up, continuing on her way to a ribbon. Feeling the guiding hand of her brother, she tries to free the ribbon from the ice... but to no avail. The risk of tearing it seems too high.
As soon as she returns, Rhizzuk crawls out on the ice. It's not graceful, but the distribution of his weight ensures he doesn't fall or break the ice. Using his helmet as a form of magnifying glass, with painstakingly slow care he's able to melt the ice enough to free the ribbon. "I've seen faster approaches," the race official says, shaking his head. "But I'll grant you that it worked."
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The tribe has hit a rhythm of things as they wrap up the evening to get ready for the trip tomorrow. Kashkura continues to make friendly with the race officials, gleaming insights without needing Obad'of's help (and despite Rhizzuk's uncouth approach). Ikinyo is convinced that there will be a terrible storm tomorrow. Tamo does manage to have a civil conversation with Without Trace or Fail, but leaves certain that there's more work to be done to win them over. Something that feels unlikely to occur before the end of the race.
And, of course, Isikhulu has the same ominous feeling as before...
=================
The morning comes, and it brings with it snow. It's not quite as dire as Ikinyo thought, but it's bad enough to make the travel difficult.
DAY 5: Overland Travel Phase
Ikinyo - Go
Isikhulu - Go
Obad'of - Go
Kaskhura - Go
Rhizzuk - Go
Tamo - Go
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The Sable Tip tribe makes good progress on the final leg. And though each has their own feelings about Tarnbreaker's trail, it's clear that they've done something special. A sense of pride, for both the tribe and for their representation of the Pathfinder Society, fills the group.
And then something happens.
A broken sled lies in the snow at the edge of the path beside an old bridge. Fresh blood marks are clearly visible against the white snow as large, crimson swaths. Equipment is scattered across the snow and onto the frozen surface of the lake.
Ikinyo stops the group and moves to investigate. Cloth and bits of a banner bearing the mark of the Wyrding Wayfinders hang from the branches of a tree to the east of the bridge. With a gesture, the rest of the tribe follows the ranger to inspect the trees
Tamo picks a bit of the fabric from the banner, impressed and a little unnerved by the clear violence shown. The others search as well, quickly spotting a broken sled and signs of a fight. Ikinyo sees that the tracks continue, and after righting the sled Kashkura finds two minor healing potions.
Following the tracks the tribe comes upon the signature axe of Faergim Axebinder, as well as broken skis that lie in a snow bank. Most of you easily spot more blood leading over the ice and the collapsed form of the leader of the Wyrding Wayfinders, who lies prone in the snow not far off.
You hasten over to see to her, and immediately you see she's in a bad state. The ice is soaked with blood but she stirs as you arrive. "You lot? A sight for sore-" she stops, coughing out some blood. "The beast attacked me and mine. It's a fierce bastard, and it dragged my Thosse, Rikkun, and Sassa off. Around that way," she gestures north on the frozen lake. "I hope they-"
She bites off her words as a ROAR echoes across the open space. It doesn't take much effort to see a massive, short-faced bear staring down the group!
ROUND 1
Rhizzuk - Go
Ikinyo - Go
Tamo - Go
Obad'of - Go
Bear - TBD
Kashkura - TBD
Isikhulu - TBD
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Though Ikinyo's arrows miss their mark, Obad'of and Tamo both make contact with their javelin and ray! It roars with a primal fury, and charges!
As it closes, Rhizzuk lands a quick strike with his guisarme
With a meaty, clawed paw it slashes at the druid...
It then grabs hold of him, but not without Rhizzuk making it difficult for the bear!
ROUND 1
Kashkura - Go
Isikhulu - Go
ROUND 2
Rhizzuk - Go
Ikinyo - Go
Tamo - Go
Obad'of - Go
Bear - TBD
Kashkura - TBD
Isikhulu - TBD
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Obad'of quickly retaliates. he spares a couple of second to cast a spell of Magic Fang and then slashes at the bear with his supernaturally sharp claws!
for
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Stymied by the shield, the bear claws again!
Obad'of follows up with his own powerful strike. Kashkura and Tamo both let loose magic upon the beast.
Yet it still stands.
ROUND 1
Kashkura - Mooned!
Isikhulu - Go
ROUND 2
Rhizzuk - Go
Ikinyo - Go
Tamo - Missiles
Obad'of - Magic Claws
Bear - TBD
Kashkura - TBD
Isikhulu - TBD
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"The stars are not aligned for you, beast!" Isikhulu waves his hand and begins muttering a series of incantations to hamper the creature.
Success - The target is unaffected.
Failure - The target is frightened 1.
Critical - Failure The target is frightened 2.
Success - The target is unaffected.
Failure - The first time during the duration (1 round) that the target attempts an attack roll or skill check, it must roll twice and use the worse result.
Critical Failure - Every time during the duration (1 round) that the target attempts an attack roll or skill check, it must roll twice and use the worse result.
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Rhizzuk stares down the bear with the slightless eyes of his hellknight mask.
Rhizzuk then strikes with his guisarme.
Rhizzuk then reaches out to Obad'of "Stand tall brother."
Trigger An enemy damages your ally, and both are within 15 feet of you.
if the foe is within reach(10ft), make a melee Strike against it.
if the foe that triggered your reaction is within 5 feet of your reach but not in your reach, as part of your reaction you can Step to put the foe in your reach before making a melee Retributive Strike.
DR 4 for ally.
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Ikinyo and Rhizzuk both land strikes, leaving the bear ragged and bloodied. But is still stands, roaring with a final moment of fury!
Opening it's maw, it looks to sink its teeth into Obad'of!
It sinks its teeth into the druid, blind with fury at the man who has hurt it most. Which is all the distraction Rhizzuk needs, once more lashing out with his guisarme. With a powerful overhead swing he brings the weapon down on the bear's neck, a bladed bit stabbing through a spinal nerve.
The bear releases Obad'of, it's body slumping to the ground lifeless.
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After a few moments of catching your breath from the dangerous battle, the Sable Tip Tribe attends to the wounded, helping Faergim and reviving her unconscious team. Once ready, both teams resume to Balgirdtrek, with Faergim ceding their position to the tribe. Finally, the teams reach the finish line.
Two tall, wooden linnorm statues mark the finish line to the harrowing Balgirdtrek. Crossing the line, the gathered crowd of spectators and participants cheers and applauds. Racers are met with blankets, soup, and medical supplies almost as soon as they are within the village of Frostgarten, where spectators are gathered to celebrate the competition and those who completed it.
"You did a great job as first-time participants," one of the race officials says to the group. "We heard about how you came to the aid of Faergim who, truth be told, is not the sort of person who needs help. You did a great thing, even if you weren't first across the finish line. We'd like to officially invite the Pathfinders to return for next year's Balgirdtrek."
It's the Varki team, who won the race, that prepare a feast for the other racers. And once the last of the teams cross the finish line, the festivities begin. With the feast laid out, members of Fangs of the Remorhaz are given a place of honor at the banquet table and a huge celebration commences!