GM Michael's Reign of Winter

Game Master Dread

Seeing the icy critter go down, Rorgar turns and makes his way back to where he dropped his bow.

By the maker as he comes back to Barnaby You lad should be a bit more Ant-sy in combat, and try to stay back.
In other words, try not to scare us as much.

He offers his hand to help him up while wearing a big grin.

Tegan puts away her crossbow so she can help tend to Barnaby if needed. "Oh my! That was quite the ambush. Are you alright?"

The wizard looks around, worried more icy monsters might show themselves from behind the trees.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Ylena lowers her crossbow, grateful she won't have to try (and likely fail) to shoot the creature again. "That was a nasty trick. Talking snowman to get people close, then an explosion to both call the elementals and do some damage before the fighting even started." She shakes her head. "Is it just me, or does it seem like the things we're fighting are getting smarter and smarter?"

Barnaby opens his blue eyes to see Ant-icipation standing over him. The Giant Ant is still holding an Icicle over the now blurry-eyed gnome.
You can stop doing that now.

The Giant Ant chitters (sounds much like laughter) and slides a bit back to allow the gnome to stand.

Barnaby gratefully takes Rorgar's hand up.
Thanks! That was interesting!

He waves at Mike; while he blushes as Tegan announces her concern.
It was a bit scary, but you all done did down!

Ant-icipaion sighs.

Barnaby standing now, a little bruised and battered, but standing, They now must cross the icy stream. It doesnt appear brittle just a bit slippery.

take 10 and at half movement each can cross without slipping. Only rushing is dangerous and then could result in falling and taking 1d4 non lethal if a DC 10 dex check isnt accomplished

Barnaby straightens himself out a bit. The gnome dusts some snow (and freezing water) off his face and clothing.
He then casts a spell on himself.
Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Feeling a bit better, the humming gnome walks over to the edge of the frozen stream.
Looks safe to me!

He cast Guidance.
Does it? Survival: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16

Taking 10? Yes please and thank you!

Both the gnome and the Giant Ant warily cross the ice....

Barnaby and Ant are the first two to carefully cross the ice. On the other side. Ant quickly discovers the dead body under the bush and begins having a feast.

Ylena follows after Barnaby, casting wary glances at the ice beneath her feet. "Hopefully there aren't any other elementals hiding around here..."

Also taking 10 and moving slowly.

Mike moves carefully and examines the corpse.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Barnaby cast Create Water over top the clearly undisciplined Giant Ant!
Get yer arse over here and help me find out what killed this fella.

He cast Guidance on them both.
Survival, Track: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9
Ant, scent Aid DC 10: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 15

They begin to search around for tracks other than their own...

...the two slip and slide about the snow and ice; falling into a snow covered bush or two.
I think this might be yours?

Anti-cipation chitters in agreement....

Looking over the body, you realize its Old Man Dnsby. He is a Farmer from Heldren. His farm is right outside the Border wood.

Dansby was a retired Soldier. Next to the body is a nice looking Composite Longbow. The quiver only has 12 arrows in it. Theres a normal Dagger on his belt along with a very nice handaxe. Hi purse holding some coinage is there as well. The body looks to have died from the cold sometime in the early hours of the morning.

+1 Composite Longbow. Masterwork Hand axe. 14 gold 25 silver 18 copper

If anyone can make use of the longbow, I will pass. But I would like to use the longbow for right now.

Rorgar takes his time to cross the stream.

Hey, lets give the man a bit of a decent burial.

Tegan takes her sweet time crossing the slick surface (also taking a 10) putting her arms out a bit for balance. She sighs in relief once she's over, then glances over at the body. Oh gods! She forcefully pulls her gaze away from the corpse. It was like seeing a carriage wreak - it was hard to look away. Even more so because she recognized the farmer. "That's... pretty dreadful."

Tegan eventually turns back to stare at the scene. The wizard tries to recall if natural or magical causes could have done this to poor Dansby.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Ylena grimaces as she looks at Old Man Dansby. "At least we can tell his friends and family what happened to him." In an attempt to figure out what exactly that was, she kneels down and examines the corpse more closely.

As she conducts her examination she nods distractedly in Rorgar's direction. "Yes, we should bury him. It's the least we can do."

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"We ken try. But ground is froze solid. Better off givin' him a pyre or returnin' him to his loved ones. No sense in lettin' the weapons go to waste."

Go ahead and take the bow. I suppose I could take the handaxe. But the want is not strong.

Its obvious he died from exposure to the cold.

Tis a shame that he could not have found shelter. From the looks, he was hunting for food, so at the very least, we should bring his family a deer or other animal for them.

Rorgar picks up the bow, and tests the draw.

If the family wants it back, I will gladly return it. But until then, no harm in using it.

Barnaby watches out for any unexpected ambushes, while the others direct their attentions at the poor, unfortunate towns person.
The gnome then approaches.
I can bury him in ice for now, until we have the means and opportunity to return him home.

Once ready, the gnome begins burying the body in snow. He then cast Create Water over the mound a few time, causing it to freeze solid.

Shall we continue? There are bandits, witches, and evil fey to deal with too!

The gnome looks a bit angry.

"Really good idea Barnaby. That will keep his body safe until we can retrieve it." Ylena looks approvingly at the makeshift cairn. "Moving on sounds good. The longer we stay the more likely we end up like him." She shoulders her pack and prepares to move on down the trail.

Lets gather his stuff, so we can return it to his family if he has any.

He provides a small bag for the coins.

Crossing the stream and after providing a makeshift cairn for the hapless farmer, the group heads towards the Lodge , following the easily seen tracks of the bandits.

Its tough going as the ground starts rising beyond the stream and an hour and a half later they find themselves moving up a slope towards an upper plateau. The cold has been biting and Tegans face is starting to feel numb from the blowing snow. Banaby's whole body has been pushing through the snow and hes feeling it. A few more hours and they will reach the lodge though.

Barnaby pauses looking up the rise....

Initiative Bold May Go
20-Rimesong
19-Kandoo
17-Tegan
12-??
5-Ylena
4-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
3-Mike

Teeth chattering, eyes a bit watery, bum definitely shaking, the gnome sneezes; his eyes going upward....
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Through shaking and chittering, Barnaby whispers
There be bandits up on that there slope...

Barnaby saw them so I made them all visible. 5 Bandits.

Barnaby attempts really hard not to sneeze...

...Ant-icipation seems to be tossing pepper at the poor gnome....

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"I am not fond of this cold," Tegan complains. The wizard tugs the hood of her traveling cloak tighter around her neck.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Are we in a Surprise Round? Like, do the people who made the 15 Perception get to act? Or are we in Round 1?

Good Question. Because Barnaby saw them, the DC will drop for anyone else to DC 13. Anyone who sees them can take an action before actions starts...but yes we are in rd 1.

Barnaby whispers to Mike.
So, how are you with ranged tactics? Because all I got is Magic Stone, or Summoning.

Ant-icipation--quietly--chitters in agreement...

Stumbling along at the back of the party.

I also don't like this cold, and I hope to find out why it is unseasonably cold.

percept: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Bandits, where?

I guess my line of sight is blocked by everyone else.

Surprise Round

Barnaby--and his Ant--begin stealthing forward, using the snowy terrain as cover.
Stealth (Dex), cover: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 14
Ant aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

It seems the gnome begins getting antsy, because Ant-icipation continually prods him behind cover.

On phone; they move 10'...lol.

Round 1, Initiative 17

Anticipating a lengthy fight, Tegan casts Mage Armor on herself and moves to a more defensive position! Tegan gains +4 armor bonus to AC for one hour!

Just a reminder, I cannot be caught flatfooted.

Seeing the bandits on the ridge, Rimesong sprang to action, sprinting among the trees to get closer and firing his longbow. His arrow hit the bandit on the furtherst right in the shoulder.

attack AC13: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 201d8 ⇒ 6

With a nod to Rimesong, Kandoo, trudged forward in his armor, pulling a sling and stone out, he whirled it over his head a few times and loosed it at the same villain. The stone hit the bandit in the bridge of the nose and he toppled over backwards into the snow.

attack AC13: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 2 = 131d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Tegan takes a few steps forward in the snow and uses her magic to bring forth a translucent suit of armor.

The 4 remaining bandits all fired arrows at the advancing party.

2 fired at Rimesong, 2 at Kandoo, The arrows falling harlmessly into the snow around them.

attack Rimesong ac14: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 - 2 = 41d6 ⇒ 5
attack Rimesong ac14: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 - 2 = 131d6 ⇒ 5
attack Kandoo ac20: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 2 = 71d6 ⇒ 6
attack Kandoo ac20: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 2 = 121d6 ⇒ 3

Initiative Bold May Go
20-Rimesong
19-Kandoo
17-Tegan
12-Bandits (x4)
5-Ylena
4-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
3-Mike

Round 1

Barnaby--and his Ant--continue stealthing forward, using the snowy terrain as cover.
Stealth (Dex), cover: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 = 26
Ant aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Not 100% certain that Aid does not also receive +2 Cover bonus; but, my gut says nope...lol.

Double Moved 20'!

Seeing how many bandits are waiting on the ridge, (even if they're not particularly good shots), Ylena opts for a spell rather than her cards. Moving just close enough to get all the bandits in range, she pulls a pinch of sand from her component pouch and blows it towards them.

Two bandits immediately collapse into the snow, sound asleep.

Will DC15: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2
Will DC15: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Will DC15: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Will DC15: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Casting Sleep. The bandit closest to Ylena and the one furthest away failed their saves, while the two in the middle are still awake.

Round 1
Rorgar, hearing the arrows hit the snow moves forward drawing his bow and aiming at the left standing ones.

shooting: 1d20 + 0 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 0 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 18
BAB, DEX, Focus, Magic
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Mike holds her holy mug aloft and bathes the area with Cayden's blessing.

Free:Agile feet, Move: move, Standard: cast bless.

Ylena began intoning one of her more potent spells and pulled some sand out and blew it on the wind. The Sand carried towards the 4 Bandits and two of them dropped their bows and fell to the snow.

Barnaby and Ant continued to crawl through the snow.

Rorgar moved forward a little to get within range and loosed an arrow that went straight into one of the bandits.

Mike enchanted her feet to ignore the clinging snow, and then called upon Caidens blessing in this fight.

Bless 10R +1 hit +1 save vs fear

Initiative Bold May Go
20-Rimesong
19-Kandoo
17-Tegan
12-Bandits (x4) 2 asleep
5-Ylena
4-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
3-Mike

Rimesong ran atop the snow going from tree to tree and firing his bow at another bandit. and puts an arrow into the cheek of a bandit who screams in agony

attack AC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 231d8 ⇒ 6
crit confirm AC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 92d8 ⇒ (1, 8) = 9

Kandoo takes a different approach, trudging through the snow straight towards the bandits and swinging his sling and firing off another rock, which hit the dirt of the slight rise instead of a person.

attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 71d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Tegan seeing the group had things well in hand opted to not use magic and walked calmly forward to fire her loaded crossbow. Her bolt going into the elbow of one of the bandits

attack AC13: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 = 131d8 ⇒ 3

The 2 wounded remaining bandits fired an arrow and started to withdraw.

1 shooting at Rimesong, 1 at Kandoo. Both shots mised and the arrows went into the snow

attack rimesong AC14 + partial cover =16: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d6 ⇒ 1
attack kandoo AC20: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d6 ⇒ 3

1 round before both are off map and running for the lodge to warn their friends. Make it count

Bless 9R +1 hit +1 save vs fear

Initiative Bold May Go
20-Rimesong
19-Kandoo
17-Tegan
12-Bandits (x4) 2 asleep
5-Ylena
4-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
3-Mike

I am stumped! Barnaby has nothing to prevent them from escaping from this distance (and at this level...lol).

Barnaby continues to stealth further amongst the foliage.
Stealth (Dex): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Ant's Aid Stealth (Dex): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Rorgar trudges up in the snow.

This snow is damned inconvenient.

He pauses long enough to fire another arrow at the one he put an arrow in before.
If still standing otherwise the remaining one

arrow: 1d20 + 0 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 0 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 25
BAB, DEX, Focus, Magic, Bless
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

arrow confirm: 1d20 + 0 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 0 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 18
BAB, DEX, Focus, Magic, Bless
Damage: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 8) + 2 = 13

Ylena loads her crossbow, eyes fixed on the fleeing bandits. It's a long shot, (quite literally), but it's her only chance of dropping one before they flee out of sight.

Taking a deep breath, she aims, fires...and watches the bolt drop to the ground before it even gets halfway. A sniper she is not.

L. Crossbow, Bless, Range Penalty: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 - 2 = 9

It all boils down to mike. . .. go mike. :)

I can't do anything that will stop them.

Too late Mike draws her sling and loads it.

Ylena loads her crossbow and fires at the fleeing Bandits.. The bolt gets lost in the trees.

Barnaby and Ant continue to creep forward in the snow.

Rorgar pulls and arrow out and straightens the feathers and aims carefully, firing. The arrow goes right into the back of the neck of one of the fleeing bandits, severing the spinal column, and dropping him in the snow.

Mike draws her sling and loads it.

Bless 9R +1 hit +1 save vs fear

Initiative Bold May Go
20-Rimesong
19-Kandoo
17-Tegan
12-Bandits (x3) 2 asleep
5-Ylena
4-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
3-Mike

Round 3, Initiative 17

Tegan loads another bolt into her light crossbow and fires another shot at the closest bandit!
To hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Light Crossbow: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Tegan has Mage Armor active. +4 armor bonus to AC for one hour!

Rimesong ran forward, his feet barely touching the snow, aimed and fired at the fleeing bandit. The arrow hit the bandit in the hip, but still he was fleeing.

attack vs AC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 221d8 ⇒ 2

Walking steadily forward, Kandoo placed another sling stone in the sling, and a few twirls over his head, launched the stone. The stone was lost in the wind

attack vs AC13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Tegan fired another crossbow bolt, missing the fleeing bandit, who moved into the thicker forest trees and disappeared from sight.

Combat over the party stopped firing.

Bless 8R +1 hit +1 save vs fear

end of combat

chance bandit dies before reaching the lodge 35%: 1d100 ⇒ 100

Barnaby continues to move toward the rising terrain to get to the previously occupied cliffs. The gnome looks about the area for anything that the bandits may have dropped.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Ant Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

So, do we hurry up to try to take them by a bit of surprise; or do we regroup first because now they have fair warning?

The Hunter frowns.
I have only 1 spell left, but I do still have a few tricks left also.

Well, what are we going to do with these other two

Rorgar pauses for a moment.

But we will need a few moments to regroup, due to the enemy getting a warning.

"Tie their hands and take them with us?" Ylena frowns. The downside of this particular spell is deciding what to do next. "They probably know things about the other bandits that'll be useful; numbers, where they're hiding, whether Lady Malassene is still alive...stuff like that."

"Personally I'd say take the time to question these two and regroup before moving on."