PFS #2-08 A Frosty Mug (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

You have been instructed to report to Iceferry Lodge in the town of Kalsgard, in the Land of the Linnorm Kings.

The elven wizardress enters, her hand upon a quarterstaff. The staff is tapered at the base and carved into a gem-studded twist at the top. On her shoulder is a small draconic creature with purple bluish scales and butterfly wings, snacking on a small fruit pie. Her robes are white as is the floppish hat on her head. On her sides are scroll cases and a few wands. Her skin is the color of ivory which only serves to highlight her midnight black hair and purple eyes.

I am Avonathalanthalasa Caldon, from Kyonin and a student of the art of the Magaambya.Elven is often difficult for non-native speakers to pronounce so you may call me Avonatha, if that is easier for you to pronounce. This is Quete she says, pointing at the faerie dragon. Quete continues to smack up his pie. up

She continues, Are there any other followers of the Vigilant Seal present for this mission? Her tone is friendly but matter of fact.

A black-scaled kobold enters the lodge. He is naked, save for a leather loincloth, bracers and handwraps. Tiny bat-like wings sprout from his shoulder blades. He stands proudly before Avonatha.

”I am Dreadfang! Ghost killer, cow savior, bane of false dragons! With my powerful claws and fearsome breath, I will tear our foes apart, and send them screaming to Hell!”

He notices Quete on her shoulder, and his eyes narrow suspiciously.

Are there any other followers of the Vigilant Seal present for this mission?

A hunched half-orc woman scuffles forward, leaning on a heavy cane and glowering at both nothing and everything. "Hmp. Me. Itka." After a moment's awkward pause, she begrudgingly pulls a black rat out of her pocket, mumbling quickly: "This is Akti," before stuffing him back into the pocket. Akti lets out an indignant squeak, but settles down as her hand lingers in the pocket, caressing him like a worry stone.

Itka deliberately declines to state her place of origin. Some things are best left abandoned in the past.

Jayma had come to dread the long stretches of time spent on ships merely to reach the place of their next mission. The endless days of staring out at a featureless sea and the constant repetition of the same tiresome chores aboard ship found her regularly examining herself with a mirror for any signs of an early bleaching.

The amenities on ship were quite appalling. There was essentially no privacy and little comfort to be had anywhere. Jayma daily gave thanks to Shyka that she'd learned certain spells from her grandmother that allowed her to keep herself clean and warm or she would have gone completely mad long since.

When not otherwise engaged, Jayma usually headed to the forecastle near the bow where the rush of the wind and spray of the bow wave was the most stimulating experience available on board. If you looked forward on most days, you would see a small female gnome dressed in an impressive set of cutting-edge clothing of the latest Absalom fashion gripping the gunwale and looking out at the horizon.

Your eyes would first be drawn to her pixie-cut bright orange hair framing a beautiful, but strangely otherworldly face. They would soon move to take in the multi-colored hooded coat covering a peplum bustier that barely concealed her ample charms. Her leather breeches and boots in coordinating colors completed the outfit. At her belt were two sheathed matching daggers.

See Jayma in all her splendor

Moving unceasingly from one shoulder to another, occasionally diving into Jayma's coat only to quickly emerge elsewhere, would be her white ermine familiar Twyl, with his oddly intelligent eyes.

It was with mixed feelings that she finally debarked at Kalsgard: Ecstatic for finally getting off the accursed ship, but not at all pleased to be back in the cold of the northern wastes. The vicissitudes of the Society's method for assigning missions had long eluded her, and this was now her second visit to this bleak land.

Pulling her long fur-lined winter coat around herself more tightly, she makes sure her matching gloves and hat are in their proper places and heads off along the familiar path to the Iceferry Lodge. The first thing she does upon entering the lodge is wave her hand a couple of times. With a, "deterge" and "recalfacio.", the spells quickly remove all the road dirt from her clothes and warm her up up a little.

Action: Cast a Spell: Prestidigitation (Tidy & Cook) vs Jayma

"Ah, that's much better." She removes her hat to free her bright orange hair. "Greetings all. My name is Jayma, and this..." She puts out her right hand; from inside her sleeve, a small white ermine with oddly intelligent eyes emerges, and hopping into her hand, stands up on its hind legs to look out at the others. "... is my friend Twyl."

Looks like Itka Ninja'd me both on RPG Chronicles and in Gameplay. The old witch knows how to get around without being noticed. :)

Jayma starts a little at the appearance of the hunched half-orc witch but quickly recovers. "Itka dear! I didn't know'd be joining us on this mission. How nice it is to see a familiar face so far from home."

Shrills squeals of someone torturing a pig precede the entrance of a smiling goblin dressed all in shades of mauve. She released the mouthpiece of her instruments and bows low, sweeping her hat off her head.

"Delighted to meet you all. I am Krakazh, and I will be very disappointed if none of you have heard of me." She straightens back up, plunking her hat back on her head and adjusting until her ears go in their usual places. "No? Well, you will soon."

She takes a seat, nose now level with the table. Grumbling, she fishes around in her bag, pulls out a sturdy pillow and sits on it. "Anyone know why we're here?"

Looks like Itka Ninja'd me both on RPG Chronicles and in Gameplay. The old witch knows how to get around without being noticed. :)

She's practicing for her eventual Shadowdancer archetype. ;)

The corner of Itka's mouth quirks upward in what might be considered a smile (maybe). "Hmp. Jayma. Good to see you too." With a grunt, she lowers herself into a seat and fishes a few pieces of sausage out of one pocket before pulling Akti out of the other. Offering one sausage piece to Jayma, she cranes her neck a bit to spy a tuft of white fur. "Hmp. Hi Twyl. Want some sausage? What about Quete?" She feeds her piece to Akti, watching ermine and the faerie dragon carefully. Hmp. Twyl was good before, but faerie dragons aren't known to be herbivores.

"Anyone know why we're here?"

"Hmp. No. ... Hmp. If someone orders drinks I'll buy the first round." Grumbling, Itka rubs her hands together to warm them. "Hmp. Make my a mulled wine. These bones don't like the cold."

Krakazh perks up at the mention of drinks. "Absolutely! Spiced brandy for me, if you have it. Pleasure to meet you all."

Twyl's nose twitches at the smell of sausage and he lifts his head from his mistress's shoulder to see where it's coming from. He pauses an anxious moment when he spies the strange old woman with a piece in her hand waving it at him. But he soon recognizes the old lady as a friend of his mistress and relaxes. Hopping down off his perch, he scampers off to claim his prize, which he immediatelly begins to chew on with gusto.

The sound of sled dogs provides a backdrop for your conversation and requires you to raise your voices a bit more than normal. A female gnome who introduced herself as Lirall pulls a colored bellrope, then ushers you into the venture-captain's office.

You are brought into a room full of snowshoes and scrolls where a half-orc and his service dog are waiting along with a snow goblin who seems to be trying to sit as far as possible from the canine. The dog nudges the venture-captain, who gestures for you all to sit. He then begins signing to you, with Lirall interpreting.

“Thank you all for coming. Ogthup, stop making faces at my dog,” Bjersig communicates with a distinct sense of exasperation. “Right, let’s make this brief before there’s a murder here.”

“You know of Irrisen, I trust? Land of Eternal Winter? A closed country, with very little passage, in or out. The Society’s been looking for more information on Irrisen for years, but we’ve never been able to get any agents inside the country... until now.”

“Frostfur goblins are the best goblins,” Ogthup interjects, taking a break from scowling at Mahki to beam proudly. Bjersig appears to be less enthusiastic, but rallies gamely.

“Indeed. Ogthup here has found what looks to be a pass in the mountains east of here. She hasn’t explored it much yet, but it does seem to go straight through the mountains and come out in Irrisen. Which is where you come in.

“I need you to accompany Ogthup, explore the pass, and find out what is the situation on the other side. Calisro Benarry, the head of the Horizon Hunters, wants all the maps you can give her. Think you can do it?”

“You all draw the maps. I’ll sneak and scout. We will learn everything,” Ogthup proclaims.

“Indeed. One last thing though,” Bjersig signs, leaning forward for emphasis. “We’re here to explore, so don’t cause any international incidents—we want to make friends, not enemies. Don’t get killed either.”

In addition to asking questions, you can make Nature and Society checks to learn more. These are secret checks. When secret check are called for, I prefer you post your intent and the modifier for the skill, and I will roll them.

Dreadfang takes a break from glaring at Quete, and turns toward Ogthup. ”What’s between here and the pass?”, he asks.

"Cold. Lots of cold." Bjersig deadpans.

Ogthup laughs, “If you’re as hardy as a Frostfur, nothing to worry about!” She eyes anyone who seems unprepared for the environment. “…otherwise, you may need a jacket.”

Bjersig offers to loan you some snowshoes of the long trek, though he notes that he expects them back after the mission. He strongly recommends that everyone have some way of dealing with the frigid mountain temperatures before they set off, and winter clothing is available for sale here for 4 sp.

Krakazh shivers slightly at the thought and takes up the venture-captain on his offer of snowshoes. Definitely going to need some outer clothing. I hope I can get something which doesn't clash too much.

Krakazh will try to remember more about the area, mostly potential social pitfalls. +9 Society, +9 Pathfinder Society Lore if that's relevant

Is there a skill we need to draw the maps?

"Anything you can tell us about the area, Ogthup? Other than 'it's cold.'"

Krakazh remembers that Irrisen was carved out of the Linnorm Kingdoms eons ago by the witch Baba Yaga and is still ruled by her descendants, the winter witches. Drawn from the Jadwiga peoples, winter witches are formidable masters of the magic of ice and snow and mirror.

"It's uncharted. You chart it. Then it's not uncharted."

No, this scenario does not give you much to work with.

You do not need a specific skill to draw maps. Just time when you're not fighting. Fortunately, Pathfinders never get into fights.

She will think back on her nature lessons to see if she knows anything which may be helpful
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

With others comes another gnome, his keen eyes and colorful hair slowly change their appearance to match the surrounding, snow. He follow others to buy winter clothing

"Ulrich Makaisson at your service, private investigator. After my last mission which was my first that happened in Absalom, I dealt with a bunch of kids going on a field trip. I even met a granny with humongous teeth! It was like being locked in a fairy tale." the gnome shivers

Gnome goes to Ogthup "What can you tell us about that pass?"

Society +13 to recall knowledge. I would like to start investigating Irrisen, if this is too much of a lead than the pass.

Glad to see you again, Ulrich. I was playing Jyllian in the last game. :)

Neither Avonatha nor Ulrich know anything that hasn't already been revealed.

The goblin speaks like he is addressing one of the children that Ulrich may have recently babysat. "It's. Uncharted. You. Chart. It. Then.
It's. Not. Uncharted."

There is nothing more to learn from questions, though Recall Knowledge checks may yield some additional information.

Glad to see you again, Ulrich. I was playing Jyllian in the last game. :)

And I played Elfino and Warrah played Mrs. Crinkle. In fact, I've played with all of you at least once before if not many times. This should be a good little adventure.

Jayma purchased winter clothing the last time she was here, back in 2-04 Path of Kings, when she helped set up the Iceferry Lodge.

The more Jayma hears of the mission from the venture-captain the less pleased she becomes. It was cold and bleak enough here in the Land of the Linnorm Kings without trying to force their way into the even colder and bleaker Irrisen. She begins to wonder if her fur coat will be enough to get her through this mission without turning into a little frozen gnome statue along the way.

While the venture-captain provides little information of use, Jayma thinks back to the last time she was here setting up this lodge and tries to remember what she heard or overheard about Irrisen.

Action: Recall Knowledge (Society +15) - SECRET

And for the Nature roll.

Action: Recall Knowledge ([Gossip Lore] +13) - SECRET

Dreadfang tries not to shiver, but eventually relents and picks up a cold weather outfit, grumbling about how awkward it feels.

Jayma knows that, through unspeakably powerful magic, Irrisen is locked in eternal winter. It ranges from a killing frost to festive and fluffy snow, but summer never touches Irrisen. Despite the endless winter, Irrisen has a flourishing ecology, sustained by the magically created witchyew trees and including reindeer, rabbits, foxes, and some exceedingly large bears.

Occultism +13? It may not apply, but you never know with witches.
Also Society +11

"Hmp. Guess we'll find out when we get there. How long should we expect to be gone? I'd hate to be cold and hungry. Hmp. I have a pup tent I can share." Itka's mind wanders, wondering if there's a spell to help a person handle the cold, and whether it'd be worth the cost if there is.

FYI: Endure Elements scroll is 12gp and lasts all day. Jayma could cast it.

Does anyone in the group have a good survival modifier? Hopefully Ogthup does. Itka's +2 untrained.

Jayma's racking of the brains brings up a few tidbits of interest which she shares with the group. "I've heard that Irrisen is locked in eternal winter, which ranges from a killing frost to festive and fluffy snow, but that summer never touches it. Despite this endless winter, I'm told that Irrisen has a flourishing ecology, sustained by the magically created witchyew trees and includes reindeer, rabbits, foxes, and some exceedingly large bears."

I think I just heard a round being loaded into Chekhov's gun.

Dreadfang has +9

I think I just heard a round being loaded into Chekhov's gun.

If you mention a reindeer in Act I…

And I played Elfino and Warrah played Mrs. Crinkle. In fact, I've played with all of you at least once before if not many times. This should be a good little adventure.

Let us do not forget about the GM ;) Who was also part of that party :D While we are on it, I need to apologize all from the previous scenario. Ulrich had striking runes but kept on rolling 1d6 and 1d4 :D So I made that game unnecessarily difficult ;)

Ulrich listens to Jaymas revelation "I hope that when it comes to traveling our scout will do the work. We will be cartographers! Gnomes of science!"

No Survival here.

Jayma wrote:

And I played Elfino and Warrah played Mrs. Crinkle. In fact, I've played with all of you at least once before if not many times. This should be a good little adventure.

Let us do not forget about the GM ;) Who was also part of that party :D While we are on it, I need to apologize all from the previous scenario. Ulrich had striking runes but kept on rolling 1d6 and 1d4 :D So I made that game unnecessarily difficult ;)

Yes, I was an annoying goblin, among others. And I will be an annoying goblin here as well.

Itka recalls that the ruler of Irrisen for the last century was Elvanna, a daughter of Baba Yaga. Rumors hold that something unusual happened in 4713 AR, but details are sparse.

Nothing for Occultism yet.

You do not believe that there is any further information available here. Finalize your purchases, grab school items and distribute any hero points from glyphs (you start with one, and no player may gain more than one extra from glyphs or give themselves one).

As everyone trudges back into the cold to finalize their preparations, Itka shares what she recalls about Irrisen. "Hmp. Witches tend to recognize each other. If we meet one, I may be a liability for diplomacy. I'll let you all handle it. Hmp."

I have a whole bunch of other knowledges

Ulrich checks that his weapon is well maintained and waits for the others to be ready...

She will make suret to get her school item, a scroll of haste.

Bjersig dispatches dog sled teams to take you to the pass, and the journey is largely uneventful aside from Ogthup constantly scowling at the dogs. Ogthup is with you and can participate in encounters.

With Ogthup in the lead, it takes 36 hours of travel to get through the pass. Each character can aid the journey by helping Ogthup scout (Survival), by keeping an eye on the environment (Nature), or by breaking a path through the snow (Athletics). Only one character can attempt each check, though others can Aid. Each success reduces the journey by 4 hours; each critical success reduces it by 8 hours; and each critical failure increases it by 4 hours. After every 12 hours of travel, Ogthup suggests the party set up camp for the night.

Jayma is untrained in Nature +2, Survival +2 and Athletics -1. She's not even going to bother trying for an Aid roll because the odds of a crit fail are so high. 36 hours is also a tad longer than her Ancestral Memories spell can deal with.

Jayma wraps her coat tightly around her shoulders and keeps casting little warming spells to try and hold off the cold. She stays out of the way as as the others scout ahead, look around for danger, and break a path through the snow. She knows she'd only get in the way and make things worse by trying to help.

Itka's just about the same as Jayma. We'll carry our weight later, guys!

As the group sleds along, Itka uses Prestidigitation to make some flat-ish magical blobs, which she then heats up for everyone. They look like nasty, congealed black oil, but they don't rub off on anything. "Hmp. Stick it in your clothes. It'll help keep you warm." She slips hers into her coat. There's no squelching sound, so that should help everyone feel better about her otherwise gross-looking offering.

Dreadfang takes Itka up on her offer, tucking some warm blobs inside his outfit. Then he plows through the snow, breaking it up with his claws, practically attacking it, a flurry of black against a blanket of white.

Athletics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Ulrich has Keen Recollection -> 'You can recall pertinent facts on topics that aren't your specialty. Your proficiency bonus to untrained skill checks to Recall Knowledge is equal to your level instead of +0.' If Nature check can be Recall Knowldge I would roll it, otherwise I will take a comfortable seat with Itka and Jayma ;)

Ulrich wraps in warm clothes. "So this is how traveling in snow looks like" he shivers trying to look at the local plants and recall what he could know

Nature, recall knowledge, lead: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15

"I think that is a fern! Winter fern..."

Unfortunately, this is not Recall Knowledge. You are dealing with current conditions.

She will use her nature knowledge to help guide
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Krakazh shivers a lot, even with her warmer clothes, and gratefully accepts Ikta's offerings. She is used to having useful things be less attractive than the norm.

Unfortunately, her career up until this point has not focused on anything of use here. She will happily cast guidance when it looks like we are a bit lost, but otherwise will be "enjoying" the trip.

Most of the travel is over uneven ground and difficult terrain (snow and ice). The area is also one of severe cold (anyone not in winter gear?) and strong winds.

Avonatha manages to spot a flash squall and get the team to cover while it passes, which saved the group four hours. Assuming you stopped to rest at night (if not, we have other issues), you arrive at the pass ont he afternoon of the third day.

>SLIDE 5<

One hour after you reach the top of the pass, it begins to snow, and soon afterward, you spy something utterly massive moving through the flurries. You can move yourselves within the white box and spend a round prepping for a fight, but you won't be able to determine more about the creature just yet.

Krakazh pulls out a beautifully engraved vuvuzela and starts a good thumping march, which segues into a jaunty jig, somehow making the two blend.

Performance: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 = 33

◆ Harmonize
◆ Inspire Defense
◇ Lingering Performance
◆ Inspire Courage

Inspire Defense: +1 status bonus to AC and saving throws, as well as resistance equal to half the spell's level to physical damage [3].
Inspire Courage: +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects. (Crit success=4 rounds)

"Hmp. Maybe we should spread out." Shuffling off to the side, Itka squints through the falling snowflakes toward the incoming creature.

Dreadfang steps toward the looming figure. ”Let it come!”, he proclaims. He takes a fighting stance, baring his claws…and waits.

Step, Tiger Stance

Ulrich pulls out his kukri and war razor and stands next to Dreadfang "Ok let us be ready" he says

I am using icons differently than on paizo forum. A gnome holding kurki. I guess it is not enough time to mark them as lead? Would my lead related to pass justify treating that creature as part of my investigation?

I am using icons differently than on paizo forum. A gnome holding kurki. I guess it is not enough time to mark them as lead? Would my lead related to pass justify treating that creature as part of my investigation?

Guessed wrong about which character wasn't on the slides yet. Yes, this can be part of your investigation for now.

I moved to where I would be

Noting the large creature advancing on them, Jayma takes a step back and using her telepathic connection, tells Twyl to jump down off her shoulders and go hide in one of the nearby trees where he'll be safe. Concentrating on the aeon stone in her wayfinder, she says the words, "scutum magicae," and the space around her shimmers a light pink. She then tightens the grip on her staff and just in case, takes one of her healing potions in hand.

Jayma Action 1 (◆): Interact - Command Twyl
- Twyl Action 1 (◆): Stride (25 feet)
- Twyl Action 2 (◆): Climb
Twyl Athletics (Climb): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Jayma Action 2 (◆): Activate an Item: Wayfinder & Aeon Stone: Dusty Rose Prism - Cast: Shield - AC 23 (Hardness 10)

Jayma Action 3 (◆): Interact - Take Healing Potion (Minor) in hand

The shape shortly resolves into a truly immense bear. Deep-set eyes glimmer within his broad skull, and a harness of delicate silver chains strains against his shaggy brown fur. A mirror gleams from his back, and icy flowers dance around his head. When he notices you, the bear rears back, unleashes a terrifying roar, and charges.

Round 1 - bolded may go!

inspire courage 1/3, inspire defense 1/1

Itka
Krakazh
BEAR!
Jayma
Ulrich
Dreadfang!
Avonatha

Nature to ◆ Recall Knowledge about the bear. Arcana, Nature, or Occultism to ◆ Recall Knowledge about the mirror.

Krakazh admires the beautiful silver chains on the bear for a moment before remembering that bears don't usually wear chains.

+9 Occultism; +0 Nature, so not rolling that

"Hey, this bear may be more than it seems. Be careful and try not to kill it!"

Trying to keep things from escalating too far, Krakazh casts calm emotions to soothe the savage beast.

◆ RK
◆◆ Calm Emotions, DC 22 Will

Krakahz is not sure what the point of the mirror is.

The bear yawns. Maybe it just needs to hibernate?

Round 1 - bolded may go!

inspire courage 1/3, inspire defense 1/1

Itka
Krakazh
bear...
Jayma
Ulrich
Dreadfang!
Avonatha

Nature to ◆ Recall Knowledge about the bear. Arcana, Nature, or Occultism to ◆ Recall Knowledge about the mirror.