Zaos dashes across the ice, but he can't quite keep his balance. He steadies himself and keeps his balance until he reaches the ribbon.
He looks over the ribbon, wondering what quick goblin trick he could try to get it out.
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Argoni mixes together another silvery elixir and drinks it. "Oh, that one had hints of raspberry! The mint must have been had some mixed in!" The halfling begins to react a bit faster, helping him as he tries to cross the ice with his heated rocks.
”Ooo, that sounds good!”, says Aldonza.
She carefully creeps across the ice, then takes out a small set of picks to gently scrape around the scroll.
"Good job, Aldonza." Dahila inspects the ribbon. "You earned a point for the team. I'll reset this ribbon so your teammates have a chance to grab it." Aldonza's new balancing act was successful.
Zaos has a better idea and uses quick-footed dexterity rather than brute athletics. He reaches the ribbon and plucks it out before returning to the officials.
"Alright, alright. Another point for ya." Dahila takes the ribbon and inspects it for damage. "We'll reset it in the ice." She turns to the rest of the team. "You two, Khenari, Zoresk- are you going to try?"
"Alright, that's two points for ya." Dahila calls it and waves you all back. "Give the other teams a chance to catch up, eh?"
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Khenari would try, taking one foot onto the ice before stepping away, near slipping in the process.
[b]"Nope no, not doing that alone. I'm no fool,"[/b'] she says looking awkwardly as she tried to balance on the ice for a few moments. She knew her team had enough but she'd be damned if she didn't give it a try.
The last day. Clear, calm blue skies reign overhead. The Two Houses have torn their tent down and are heading off. The other teams are held back by officials and are unable to leave.
One official stands in front of your tent. "The Two Houses scored very well. They have a... minor head start over you." He steps to the side. "And their lead has ended. Good luck!"
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Aldonza takes a deep breath of sharp morning air, and starts high-stepping through the snow.
”We’re Agents of the Open Road! Hurrah! Hurrah!
We’re always in Adventure Mode! Hurrah! Hurrah!
We travel over hill and dale!
We kick some ass, then we prevail!
And we’re Balgirdtrekkin’! Nothing can stop us now!”
Aldonza ponders a bit. ”Definitely better!”, she declares.
Zoresk and Khenari lead the way, providing critical advice to Zaos. Argoni and Aldonza are too distracted playing to pay attention.
You continue to travel to the finish line. Can't be more than an hour remaining now. Soon you'll reach Frostgarten. A soft bed made of feathers and wool instead of ice and snow. A shattered sled instead of a… wait, what?
A broken sled bearing the Two Houses logo 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.
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Khenari would look upon in her own words the frozen hell scape of a lake, wondering where the other team had to have been. Something felt off. There was possibly an accident or maybe they had been attacked by something off not too far by. Whatever happened it didn't seem like to her things were all that kosher.
"Anyone thinks this be a trick of some kind, an ambush. I wouldn't think banditry this far away," she says to inspect the blood. With this much around the only question would be where the body was.
Khenari takes a careful look around the trees before investigating the blood. It isn't long until she finds Steen's broken set of lockpicks underneath some torn armor. Faint red trails lead to a mound of snow north of the sled.
Argoni looks through the sled's remains and sees two potions with Unn's signature. Minor Healing Potions- only use for wounds, not for booze!
The wind howls from the north...
Argoni looks toward the next spot of snow, but the trail leads towards the cave. But Khenari spots Oluf's arm sticking out of the blood-soaked snow in the north.
The howling gets louder, and you hear Leif's cry. He sails out of the entrance of the cave, slamming into the snow outside and dropping his gear. It isn't long until you see the bear emerge. It stands at over 12 feet tall, white fur blending into the snow. It stands on its hind legs and roars yet again, bearing its jaws and claws.
What a grizzly sight! Aldonza and Zoresk are taken aback, but the other Pathfinders are ready to fight.
Khenari
Argoni
Zaos
Da Bear
Aldonza
Zoresk
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"By Calistria's sting what is that damn thing!"
Quickly taking the initiative Khenari pulls out her holy book and recites a verse, "O favor us Queen of Yellow and grant this loyal servant and..." she stops to modify the verse, "Her allies the blessing to overcome destroy our terrible foe. Smite it and grant us true revenge!"
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Argoni's eye go wide at the sight of Leif flying across the ice and go wider as he sees the deadly bear. "Hey! Get away from him!" he shouts.
The halfling pulls out a couple of vials and mixes them together, then drinks the resulting elixir. Then he starts scurrying across the ice towards Leif, his legs moving a bit faster.
Argoni rushes across the ice, bolstered by concern and his liquid accelerant. Khenari takes a moment to bless her allies and get some sweet, sweet revenge on the bear. Zaos takes aim, finally catching the evasive bear.
The bear's claws toss icy shards as it dashes across the ice, finally coming face to face with Argoni. The bear looks down at the halfling, its eyes salavating for rage and violence.
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At the sight of the bear, Aldonza’s eyes light up, while her mouth splits into a wide grin.
”Ladies and gentlemen, and children of all flavors!”
She makes an elaborate bow. ”Aldonza Delamorte…”
She gestures toward the others. ”…and entourage, in a gritty survival drama we like to call ‘Blood on the Rocks’!”
She then advances toward the bear.
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"Gah!" Argoni yelps as he finds himself face to face with the bear. He scrambles back, using his magically enhanced speed. Then, realizing the bear is the source of the carnage related to his investigation, he is able to quickly sense a weakness. He draws an alchemist's fire from his satchel and hurls it at the bear.
Argoni doesn't remember much about bears, but he guesses they are flammable. He learns empirically this bear has fast reflexes and makes an Opportune Attack as he retreats. He blesses his halfling luck as the bear's jaws nick off the whiskers on his chinny chin chin.
Of the many attacks, only Argoni's manages to strike its target. The bear's thick hide barely repels Zoresk's bolts and Zaos's arrows. Aldonza bravely - or foolishly (maybe both?) - moves up to the bear, preparing herself for a scintillating show. Looks like the bear is all to eager to participate, sinking its jaws right through her armor.
Da Bear (6 damage, Persistent Fire 1)
Aldonza (14 damage)
Zoresk
Khenari (Bless, 5 feet radius)
Argoni (Lesser Cheetah Elixir)
Zaos
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Aldonza cries out as the bear bites into her. ”Everyone’s a critic”, she grumbles through gritted teeth.
Grasping the top of her marotte, she draws the narrow sword blade hidden inside. She forces a smile at the bear. ”Wait’ll you see my encore!”, she quips, before stabbing at it. Then she raises the haft in a defensive posture.
Aldonza's rapier grazes the bear, not quite hitting but every bit counts. Everyone else's attack misses the bear.
Undeterred, it wails on Aldonza. The first bite takes her right out.
The bear drops her unconscious body from its jaws and rushes after the closest target: Khenari.
A large, angry, flaming bear chomps on the elven cleric.
Argoni takes his bottle and quickly hides.
Da Bear (12 damage, Persistent Fire 1)
Aldonza (28 damage, Unconscious, Dying 1)
Zoresk
Khenari (Bless, 5 feet radius, 15 damage)
Argoni (Lesser Cheetah Elixir)
Zaos