GM Michael's Reign of Winter

Game Master Dread

Reknar stood and looked through the remains of the skeletons and found nothing of note.

Tegan lifts up the birdcage to look at the tiny fey. "Do that again and I'll drown you in a bathtub!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Barnaby nods to Reknar. The concerned Gnome then checks over Ant-icipation, frowning at the Ant's many cuts, bruises, and even broken chitinous.
The Hunter lays his hand on the Ant, causing some of his wounds to heal.
Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Out of spells.

We need more healing from somewhere. I wonder if there is a sack of healing potions in a tree stump around here?

The gnome looks at everyone and he smiles.
What? It has happened.

I can assist, but don't expect to much from me.

After finding his arrowheads (or not), he walks over to Reknar

SOF: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Burning Shield of Faith for CLW

He then walks over to Vicktor

DF: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Burning Divine Favor for CLW

Now I am out of power myself.

"I am ok..." - the half-orc began to say, but stopped as the healing power washed over him again - "I... Thank you master dwarf. I owe you" - he grunts from behind his cowl.

"These have nothing of value" - he kicks the bones.

Tegan lifts up the birdcage to look at the tiny fey. "Do that again and I'll drown you in a bathtub!"

"What happened Miss...?" - the half-orc was already in a bad mood, and drew his weapon as he approached - "Just say the word..." - he talked to Tegan, but stared at the creature in the cage.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The small Fey looked at Tegan and chuckled...oooo a bathtub. We gonna have some fun? Never had a human before, might be crazy...Listen to me Tegan. Best release me or the freeze will get you. Thats certain.

When Reknar came up running his finger along the edge of his blade, the sprite shut up.

BArnaby just looks at the fey with a bit of frustration in his blue eyes. He gathers Ant.
I supposed that we continue; although, we are a bit battered. We must be careful if we encounter another ambush.

The Hunter prepares to continue.
Besides, there's got to be a Healing tree around here somewhere...

"Not much alternative apart from continuing, I would agree" - Reknar added.

Realizing there was nothing to be gained by waiting around, they started to tread further into the snowbound forest. Moving through the hills on the other side of the river gorge. The wind howling between them. The snow blowing thick and fast obscuring vision to about 20'

Vrixx kept on with his berating the group and making himself a general nuisance. Occasionally Tegan would rattle the cage and scowl at him bundled up in the fur of the yeti. She felt none of the cold as she had before.

The others were bundled up in furst but still both Rorgar and Barnaby were both grimacing into the wind.

Viktor was striding along like he was born to this element. While Reknar pulled his collar up tighter.

Soon they came to a path that wound between two embankments with a tree felled in the center. and bloody tracks leading to the right embankment.

"Ăhh. Ă țrăp." Viktor mentions nonchalantly. "Î hópę țó âcquîrę șómę fîrę-bâşęd şpełłş șóóń fór âmbuşhęș łîkę ţhîş."

Drawing his blade, Reknar move slightly to the side of the road, trying to peer ahead.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"Ready to move ahead when you are" - he grunted.

Barnaby--and Ant--stop at the crossroads with a bit of suspicion in their eyes.
They both nod to Viktor.
Ant and I can go check for tracks about the area. We can be stealthy about it.

The Gnome--and his Giant Ant--begin doing some stretches. They both gives hugs to everyone, prior to going off. Ant-icipation gives Tegan two.
Barnaby cast Guidance on himself.
Stealth (Dex), guidance, cover, Ant Aid: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 31
Ant aid DC 10 Stealth, cover: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14

They both keep their respective noses to the ground.
Survival (Wis), Ant Aid: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Ant Aid DC 10 Survival, scent: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Shivering slightly, Rorgar looks around but not at the logs with his bow in hand.

percept: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Looking for other points of ambush, not just at the logs blocking the path

Im really curious. How does an Ant hug?

With its legs of course. Or arms in the case of Ant Man. :)

I actually couldn't find a pic, nor video of an Ant giving a hug!

lol neither could I

Ant examining the tracks begins to chitter excitedly. Barnaby can tell the tracks are human, and by the gate of the tracks, the person was serious wounded and bleeding badly.

Rorgar stands back about 70' away looking for any sign of ambush from the logs and see's none.

Barnaby turns and waves everyone forward.

Barnaby cast Guidance on himself.
Stealth (Dex), guidance, cover, Ant Aid: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 22
Ant aid DC 10 Stealth, cover: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19

They both keep their respective noses to the ground.
Survival (Wis), Ant Aid: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Ant Aid DC 10 Survival, scent: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Reknar follows Barnaby and his ant from a distance, allowing the scout to move ahead unnoticed.

Rorgar moves up and rejoins the group as they start to move.

We are going to have to find shelter soon, I am starting to lose feeling in my fingers.

He tucks his hands into his armpits to try to warm them as he walks along.

The group gradually moves up to within a short distance to Barnaby and Ant huddling near the fallen tree

Tegan seconds Rorgar's statement. "Resting would be nice."

"Thank you for being with us, Reknar." The wizard gives the birdcage an unfriendly shake. [b] "You're a welcome addition to our group. Tegan approaches Barnaby and AOUS, casting Detect Magic on the fallen tree and surrounding area.

I also wish to know how an ant would hug, lol

Tegan moves around the large bush to her front as she talks to Reknar and then trains her eyes on the area to her front to detect any magic. There is nothing by the log, but ahead, near buried in the snow is a body. A slight magic aura peeks out from the snow.

where the green box is on roll 20

"Wait! There's a magical aura emanating from there." Tegan points to the snowy area. She lifts her skirts and crosses the path, stopping at the roots of a fallen tree. She turns her head back towards her companions. "Someone, please see what's there." See map.

Barnaby--and Ant--both answer Tegan's call! Both gnome and giant Ant seem to be showing the utmost pose for the task at hand. The others barely even notice the elbowing jabs happening between the two, as they rush to the magical emanation....
Barnaby cast Guidance.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 12
Ant Aid DC 10: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Unfortunately, Ant-icipation seems to have kicked up a bit of snow into Barnaby's eyes.....

Barnaby can see the form of a man half buried in snow. Bloody tracks lead there.

The gnome sighs. The Giant Ant shakes his head. They both get closer to check it out more thoroughly.....

Ant-icipation sets up a keyboard station; while Barnaby takes out a guitar and starts singing.
It's a trap.

Brushing away the snow, Barnaby sees a huntsman who obviously was mauled by a beast. His cold weather outfit has been shredded and torn. Homemade snowshoes adorn his feet. His bow has been snapped in half, and several arrows lay scattered around. Sticking out of his quiver are two arrows that were what Tegan was indicating. The look far better made with blood red fletching.

Spellcraft DC16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Int DC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Knowledge Nature DC13: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Perception DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

"Oh," Tegan lets out a soft gasp as she identifies the individual. "Barnaby, I'm so sorry. This is Dryden Kepp." The wizard points at the surrounding ground. "And those look like his tracks. And... a big weasel?"

Tegan bites the tip of her glove, pulling it off so she can inventory the contents of Dryden's pack. "Two +1 Animal Bane Arrows, three days of rations," she uncorks a bottle and gives it a cautionary sniff, "half a flask of applejack, a journal, ink, and pen." (I updated our loot spreadsheet.)

With her ungloved hand, the wizard flips through the journal for possible clues. "Those are some serious arrows. Was he hunting something?"

"This weasel, was it like... His companion?" - Reknar looked around - "It could still be alive, wounded somewhere?"

Barnaby and Ant-icipation stop their performance. Each just look at each other, shrug, and place their instruments aside.
They join the others; each with a smile on their faces.
I heard of him going off by hisself to look for trouble. Guess he found it.

Tegan quickly thumbs through the journal that goes back years, until recent days. then finds out that he had spied a White Furred Giant Weasel eating hunting dogs and the occasional hunter in the area. So after trying to recruit others, who chocked it up to his drinking and not believing him, he went after it himself. Up ahead a few miles, at the head of the Somir Valley Area M on the map of the forest

he had ran into a small shack on chicken legs with a strange doll residing inside. He had put several beartraps at the entrance to the valley.

he mentions almost catching it one time and wounding it. Then it started hunting him instead of the other way around, and he was fleeing it in terror. It was too cunning. So he set an ambush...that was the last entry.

"Are we not following the tracks?"

The tracks lead to the body. from there they continue down the path.

Barnaby places a gloved hand on Tegan's arm, as she leafs through the journal.
Did that read small shack on chicken legs with a strange doll residing inside?

Ant-icipation chitters in a questionable tone also.

The gnome then shrugs.
We should find shelter for the night; rest up, and decide how to continue.

The Hunter and Ant begins searching the area for a secured camping site.
He cast Guidance.
Survival (Wis), Ant Aid: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 25
Ant Aid DC 10 Survival, scent: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Tegan shares the writings in Dryden's jounral, reading several sections aloud. "A white-furred giant weasel eating hunting dogs..." The pale woman shares a part of her personal life: "On occasion, my aunt has had to fend off her garden from small rodents, which sometimes brought weasels. Small weasels. They'd scavenge for anything. Make a mess of her garden if they couldn't find any rodents or birds to eat."

"I'm open to resting before proceeding with the tracks. ...Will they still be visible in the morning?" She looks towards the gnome who'd been doing most of the party's tracking.

something to note, Its only 11 am. The party has only been awake about 4 hours and would have to stay in place for a full 20 if they found a cave. or place....for that matter about 2 hours back is the lodge.

Maybe we should continue then. I think Tegan is ok on resources.

Barnaby--and his Giant Ant--decide to continue along the path; clearly tracking the foot prints in the snow....

from the dead body the tracks moved down the trail until the eventually the trail grew cold and the blood wore off the feet of the giant Weasel.

The group continued to follow the trail though. It was only a couple miles and then they came to a rise in the ground near a fallen tree, and The group looked across the snowfield, hearing no birds seeing no activity and paused.

The cold wind blows through the forest atop the ridge. Heavy snow burdens the boughs of the evergreen trees, but someone has begun to clear an area on the ridge by felling a tree and clearing some ground near the stump.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
17-Tegan
15-Reknar
14-F??
7-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
2-Viktor

Reknar draws his rapier and peers around, looking for who may have been clearing the area.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Round 1, Initiative 17

Sensing something is about to happen, Tegan pulls out her light crossbow and loads it.

Tegan looks around and senses the quiet, pulls her crossbow out and loads it.

Reknar looks around and notices the odd footprints in the snow going back to the felled tree and draws his rapier

What looks to be two mansized tree's stood up from among the bougs of the fallen tree and start making their way through the snow towards the group.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
17-Tegan
15-Reknar
14-Frost Firs
7-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
2-Viktor

Weasels and Trees, and who knows what else. First time I seen the trees attack

Rorgar quickly looks at his bow, then at the incoming trees then draws his axe.

I guess it is time to make firewood

knowledge ?: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int)+7(1), Knowledge (geography) (Int)+6(1bg), Knowledge (nature) (Int)+5(1), Knowledge (local) (Int)+6(1)

Barnaby furrows his brow at the approaching trees. He and Ant look at each other; before wandering into some snowy foliage to hide for now.
Stealth (Dex), cover: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
Ant Aid DC 10 Stealth, cover: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23

The Hunter does take out his cold-iron machete.

Barnaby swallows hard when two, what look like, limbs of the fallen tree, animate and head toward them. He and Ant quickly scramble into the underbrush trying to hide effectively...for a moment he thinks..hes hiding from trees in bushes as he searches his memory for anything that might be a tale handed down about walking trees....finds nothing except for Ents, but they were lots taller and generally considered good.

Rorgar shoulders his bow, and pulls out his axe, warming himself up with a couple quick swings.

Viktor moves to stand next to Rorgar, pulling his blade out.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
17-Tegan
15-Reknar
14-Frost Firs
7-Barnaby
4-Rorgar
2-Viktor

Round 2

Tegan's eyes fix on the two mansized trees moving towards them.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 (Knowledge Dungeoneering, Nature, Nobility, Planes, Religion +8 | Knowledge Arcana +9)

She fires her crossbow and moves 30 feet away from the encroaching trees.
To hit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Light Crossbow: 1d8 ⇒ 4

My Roll20 won't load. I'll try back later.