Shades of [ULTRA PLUS] Ice [CORE]

Game Master Will Huston

this is where we play.

The scene opens on Absalom during the night. The fire in the hearth is roaring. Venture Captain Drandle Dreng pokes at the fireplace, putting another log in. He coughs a wretched hacking cough. The man isn't just sick, he's ill. He shivers, despite the sweltering heat in his small private room. "I've got a routine mission for you," his voice is raspy and pained, "Though a dangerous routine mission. An ally of ours in the Land of the Linnorm Kings -- Rognvald Skagni, write that down, that'll be important. He's writing a report on the state of the governments of northern Avistan..."

"I received a letter from him, requesting that we send him several key documents from our archives to him," He coughs again into a kerchief. Something definitely came up on that one. He grimaces and puts the kerchief away, and gestures to a heavy chest. "Those are the documents, and I need you to take them on a ship heading north and deliver them to Skagni."

He has another coughing fit, and gestures for his assistant, a well-dressed Vudrani man to come near. He whispers a few raspy orders to the man, and collapses into his chair. "Venture Captain Dreng wishes for me to give you this key," the assistant says, producing a large bronze key, along with a pouch of gold, "They key will open the chest. The gold will procure your travels to Trollheim, where Skagni resides. Whatever you do, do not let the chest out of your sight and do not, under any circumstances, allow it to be searched. These documents are for Mr. Skagni’s eyes only. Are we understood?"

Leon looks concerned. Or constipated. Hard to tell.

”Ya aight Cap’n? Ya don look so gud.”

The big man’s expression doesn’t change as he grabs the chest, ”Nobuddeh open, goddit.”

Physically he is a hulking brute. Covered in armor with a nasty sharp farming tool strapped to his massive back he looks quite dangerous. Especially those massive hands that each look like they could snap a normal human in half.

How big and how heavy is the chest?

A man dressed in full plate, wearing a tabard over it emblazoned with something that looks rather like a stylised cogwheel, nods thoughtfully.

"Fair enough. Guess we just have to stop anyone unsavory from looking at the documents. Probably be a good idea for the person holding the key to be different to the one lugging the crate."

He then pats his bastard sword.

"I'll do what I can to... discourage... anyone who tries to be too curious."

The man then smiles to the rest of the party.

"I'm Cayden Barleybrew, by the way. Yes, I *am* aware of the irony of my name. My parents weren't exactly... subtle. To be clear, I did *not* follow in their ecclesiastical footsteps."

"Something of such importance still doesn't warrant extradimensional storage or travel?" A pretty human lady in breastplate shakes her head, "A Secret Chest is only 450 gold pieces, for us at least. I don't know if Venture-Captain like you have to pay or not. Travelling with a chest like that is like painting a target on our back." she sighs.

"Shannon Rosenthal, warrior of Iomadae, at your service." she nods to her teammates.

If there's one who looks like she followed in someone's ecclesiastical footsteps, it's the tall, muscular dark-skinned woman standing as far back from the ill Venture Captain Drandle Dreng as possible. Her heavy armour and huge shield are both engraved with symbols of Iomadae, and though not as bulky as Leon, she looks both swift and strong.

"How long would it take to reach Skagni?" she asks. The thought of actually going to the freezing Land of the Linnorm Kings make her grimace. Why did they always think of her for those types of mission?

"I'm Bobbie," the fighter gives Shannon Rosenthal a respectful nod. It isn't the first time the two Iomeadeans meet.

A small red-haired female halfling in a Mithral Chain Shirt armor and a small longsword on her hip stands next to the half-elf cleric. She is wearing a regular sized spell component pouch around her waist - and also an adorable little backpack on her back. When she recognizes not one, not two, but three of her fellow pathfinders, she gets a huge smile on her face and blurts out, right in the middle of the briefing:

"Leon! Shannon! Bobbie! Good to see you again! How are you?"

Two seconds later the halfling suddenly remembers the presence of the VC. With a disarming smile she says: "Oops. Sorry, VC, I got carried away... again. Please continue."

After the mission briefing she introduces herself to Cayden Barleybrew and offers a handshake: "My name is Corba, Corba Nana. Pleasure to meet you!" Then she addresses the whole party: "Travelling to the Land of the Linnorm Kings! It's quite cold there, that much I know off the top of my head. Good thing I bought this wand of Endure Elements a few months ago. I hope it's not too dangerous there for Rocky, my riding dog..." She trails off for a few moments. "Oh, regarding our mission: I can help with discouraging and/or distracting nosy people who'd like to look inside the chest. I have a way with words, you know... well, most of you do know that, as a matter of fact." She winks.

@GM: Are there any Knowledge checks to be made before we start the journey?

Leon nods to the halfling and then hands her the big key, ”Curba take kee, Curba know wenta user.”

He also hands her two wands, ”Healy wun, cold an hot wun. You know wenta usedem.”

Wands CLW and Endure Elements

The chest is... quite substantial. 2 feet wide by 4 feet long by 3 feet tall, and it (and its contents) weighs over a hundred pounds. 100 lbs exactly for the purposes of tracking carrying capacity.

"I think it best if Venture Captain Dreng rests for now," his assistant says after Leon addresses Drendle. The ailing Venture Captain nods weakly, his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling carefully. "I'm looking over what the Society has put together here, and I'm not seeing a line item for any spellcasting services. I imagine the Decimvirate decided that the risk and depreciation to several seasoned Pathfinder field agents such as yourself was more than enough resources to dedicate to this task. If you would like to spend gold out of your personal accounts to better protect the cargo, I'm sure the Decimvirate would appreciate your initiative. I would defer to your own expertise." The seneschal smiles at his own private memory of his attempts of getting the Society to reimburse him.

"A fast ship should get you into Trollheim in a little over a month. And yes, I would suggest packing warmly, above and beyond just arcane means for protection from the elements."

"Savory, unsavory, I cannot attest to the flavor profile of Rognvald Skagni, but again, these documents are for his eyes only. If the Ur-bishop of Winlas wants to sneak a peak, politely refuse."

There's not any pre-written knowledge in this part, Corba, but if there's a specific topic and a roll you want to make, I'm not afraid of a little improv.

The Brute grabs an extra silk rope from his lodgings and purchases some cold weather clothing (8g spent) to wear for this adventure.

He holds up the rope a looks over the chest, ”Anbuddeh hep rig dis up soze I can carry er easiah?”

Maybe just a couple loops around it and across it so he can sling it up easier onto his shoulders? Craft check or just use common sense? Weight wise, while carrying it, it puts him at Medium weight capacity. So it will slow him down to 20 ft move and add -1 more ACP over his current penalty. But I expect (hope) for most of the traveling it will be set down.

If you would like to spend gold out of your personal accounts to better protect the cargo, I'm sure the Decimvirate would appreciate your initiative. I would defer to your own expertise.

Shannon smiles at the joke.

Unfortunately Wheelchair is not available in CORE campaign, so we can't ust wheel the chest around. Such a shame.

Shannon will grab a wand of Endure Element from the Grand Lodge store before the travel.

Months of travelling in the bloody freezing cold. Absolutely great.

Erica's so enthusiastic about the prospect that she barely reciprocates Corba's effusive greeting - save for a tense, slightly morose smile. "Awesome. What are we waiting for.

And to say she already had had to spend half of her savings on a stupid scroll of teleporting for a stupid dragon - not to mention the stupidly long trip it had taken to actually bring the stuff to it. It hadn't even spared a thank-you card for the troubles. Unbelievable.

But in the face of a dangerous trip, there is no time to worry about savings, and, reluctantly, the fighter takes to spending money on stuff.

Listing everything here in case I made any mistakes:

Between Adventures: I paid 1125 GP to remove the 'Debt to the Brine' boon from my chronicles

Items Bought during Bobbie's shopping: Cold Weather Outfit (7gp); 4 Bolts (Fire) (200gps); +1 Bracers of Armors from the Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch; struck off from the Chronicle (1000gp)

Hi there.Nice to meet you all, new faces and old acquaintances. Seems odd to drag such an heavy chest by snowy roads, but I guess you have your reasons. We'll do our outmost to succeed. Sorry, I'm Corgrim, for those who don't know me yet.

Leon shakes Corgrim’s hand with a huge meaty grip, ”I carry er, no draggin.”

Corba gives the rogue a genuine smile. "Good to see you again, Corgrim! How are you?"

The rogue tries not to wince as the massive Leon shakes his hand

Always a pleasure to meet you, Leon. Maybe a mule could carry the chest, instead of you?

Then he smiles back at Corba, rubbing his hand

I'm fine, thanks, Corba. Haven't been in a mission in a while, I was too busy putting order in a library, taking care of old books. Do you think we'll need some specific equipment for this mission, apart for some warm clothes? Maybe a tent to rest at night, a climbing kit if there are mountains to pass, one or two everburning torches?

Leon grunts, "Mule not strong as meh. An I kick hardah."

He seems to genuinely believe this, and might even be right about some of it.

The brute also taps the wayfinder hanging from his neck and mutters, "Laght."

It glows.

Maybe just a couple loops around it and across it so he can sling it up easier onto his shoulders? Craft check or just use common sense? Weight wise, while carrying it, it puts him at Medium weight capacity. So it will slow him down to 20 ft move and add -1 more ACP over his current penalty. But I expect (hope) for most of the traveling it will be set down.

I don't think I need a check, but it would be up to you if you want to use rope and tie to yourself, or if you just want to carry it in your hands.

The big man ties his rope around the chest so that it has a couple loops hanging free. He slings it up onto his shoulders and grunts at the fighter, ”Lead da way Bobbeh, less go.”

"If you insist." Bobbie sets off begrudgingly.

Heigh-ho, to the biting frost we go...

It is more than a month on the sea, sailing from Kortos to the Land of Linnorm Kings. At one point off the coast of Riddleport, two pirate ships are spotted off the starboard bough, but they did not pursue the craft.

Eventually the open ocean gives way to the deep navigable Rimeflow River. The ship sails past Kalsgard into the reaches of Hagreach. The ship stops at Trollheim where the Pathfinders disembark.

The directions to Skagni's house are written in a flowing almost-Vudrani script, and a little vague, but the Pathfinders are able to find the house, or where the house should be.

What is there is a distinct lack of house. Just the burnt out husk and ruined furniture, but anything that remained after the fire, it seems to have been picked over and looted. Though most of the walls are blackened with soot, a patch along the former front of the residence still shows relatively clean, white walls. Smeared across those white walls, written in reddish-brown letters four feet tall, are the words, “Pathfinders go home.”

"Remind me, what's the last time when Pathfinders turn away from places that they're not welcome?" Shannon takes out her glaive just in case, "And chances are our contact Skagni is or was in danger."

"Hope springs eternal," Bobbie snarks. She is not one to be intimidated by some written threat, especially from people who didn't even have courage enough to stay behind and confront them directly.

She inspects the ruins for clues that Skagni or the mysterious arsonists' might have left behind, though the flames and the ashes have probably destroyed most.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Leon had set the heavy trunk down and was halfway turned around to go home when Shannon speaks her logic, ”Oh yah? We nawt done wit mishun?”

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20
"No, just becuase they have sign saying you're not welcome doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't go. The demons from the worldwounds clearly don't welcome us, but that won't stop the crusader from saving our world, does it?"

Leon squints, ”Dat not say we no welcum, just say go home. Figahed we was dun. We brought da ting.”

"Bring the chest here and deliver them to Skagni." Shannon reminds Leon, "Not deliver them to Skagni's burnt down house, to him."

Cayden nods.

"Agreed. Guess we have to find Skagni. Anyone actually good at gathering information?"

He then looks around hopefully.

"Unless there is anyone hanging around here to ambush any Pathfinders that do show up? That would be convenient!"

Leon looks around the rubble for Skagni’s bones. That would wrap this mission up nicely!

Perc: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Bobbie overhears the exchange between Leon and Shannon, but chooses not to interfere.

Imagine being locked up in a room, and the only way this guy can get you out is by reciting the time tables. She shivers at the thought. There were worse fates than freezing to death after all.

Bobbie is able to discern that the message is indeed written in blood.

As the Pathfinders try to go through burnt out shell of Skagni's house, none of them spot the creeping vikings. Since none of you rolled high enough on perception, they basically used their surprise round to get close. We're on page 4 of the slides Cayden is probably owed a beer after this for calling it.

Grey Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Green Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Yellow Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Blue Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Red Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Corba Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Leon Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Shannon Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Corgrim Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Bobbie Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Cayden Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Red, Blue, Yellow and Green all have throwing axes in hand, while Grey has a longspear

One of the vikings, with a dyed green scarf, throws a throwing axe at Shannon.
Throwing Axe vs Shannon's flatfooted AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (3) = 11

He then draws a battleaxe as he moves away from his target.

Round 1
Green
Cayden
Shannon (-11)
Corba
Red
Leon
Blue
Yellow
Grey
Corgrim
Bobbie

Lay on Hand: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
Mwk Glaive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Dmg, cold iron S: 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Shannon 5ft step, heal herself, and swings her glaive at the red viking.
"That's not nice."

Following Shannon's lead, Cayden tries to take Red out before he has a chance to act (and stops being flat-footed!)

MW Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12, for 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 damage.

Who are these people? Vikings?

Knowledge: Local t: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

If I may choose what to remember, I'd like (in that order) Hit Dice, Will Save and AC. Thanks!

Corba 5-foot-steps a bit towards the paladin and starts to tell an inspiring tale of a bunch of heroic pathfinders: "Not long ago there was a group of very competent Pathfinders that found themselves on several missions together..."

standard action to start a bardic performance (Inspire Courage), move action to ready her buckler

Inspire Courage: +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls

Leon quivers with anticipation, muscles bulging and ready to go. He takes his time, planning which target to brutalize.

So manneh targets, only got two hands. An one slashy weppun. An we migh need wun livin. Bettah ask.

”Need ta keep wun alive fer talkin to?”

It could always be a good idea, Leon, but first lets make sure they don't kill us.

The red-scarved viking knocks away Cayden's sword with his throwing axe, and ducks below the glaive's swing.
Corba: Technically there are two different stat blocks, Gray is one and the rest are the other. The more common stat block, has 3 HD, a Will of -1, and AC of 19.

The Red scarfed viking pulls out his battle axe, his throwing axe on the ground and swings it at Cayden.

Battleaxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

But fails to make connection! He slides to the side.

Round 1 (Buffs: Inspire Courage)

Green
Cayden
Shannon
Corba
Red
Leon
Blue
Yellow
Grey
Corgrim
Bobbie

The brute nods at Corgrim, ”Less thin em out den I grab wun.”

He strides up while unslinging his scythe and in one fluid motion slashes across his target, waist high.

Move while drawing weapon, attack Grey.

MW Scythe + IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20 for Slashing + IC: 2d4 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 + 1 = 14

Leon's scythe cuts through the warrior's armor. For such a big man, he's almost strangely lightly-armored.

One warrior, his face covered in blue paint is light on his feet and almost dances around Leon. His throwing axes drops to the ground and he pulls out his battleaxes as he does so.

Acrobatics to Tumble vs Leon's CMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

He swings his battle-axe.
Battle Axe vs Leon's AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

But his axe is stopped by Leon's armor!

Another warrior slides to the side, and throws his throwing axe at Bobbie!
Throwing Axe vs Bobbie's Flatfooted: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

But it has no chance against the heavily armored opponent.

The greybeard steps back with his longspear and tries to deliver a brutal beating!

Longspear vs Leon's AC, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 = 26
Piercing Damage, Sneak attack: 1d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (2) = 11

It is such a brutal beating that Leon is sick to his stomach! sickened for two rounds

Round 1 (Buffs: Inspire Courage)

Green
Cayden
Shannon
Corba
Red
Leon (-11, Sickened For 2 Rounds.)
Blue
Yellow
Grey (-14)
Corgrim
Bobbie

Corgrim winces as he sees Leon wounded, and moves right behind his attacker, giving him a taste of his own medicine, the rogue's blade aiming at blood vessels

Got you covered, big boy.

sneak attack, IC: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 22
dmg, SA, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (5) + 1 = 11+1HP/ round of bleeding

Bobbie simply watches as the throwing axe bonks harmlessly off her shield. Those vikings had slightly won back some of her respect by sticking around to confront their opponents - but if they couldn't even aim decently at so close a distance...

She steps into melee, drawing her blade in one smooth movement, and slashes Leon's adversary.

Attack (Blue): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

If that hits:

She brings her blade down on the fighter at her right.

Cleave (Green): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

@Bobbie (and GM): You have Inspire Courage from Corba, so you get +1 to your attack and damage rolls! Not sure it matters right now, though...

Corgrim, you moved up to Blue, but it was Grey who did the big damaging attack on Leon. I don't think you could move to flank Gray without double moving, so I'm gonna just count it as you intending to hit Blue.
Corgrim gets his cut in with his shortsword. Bobbie hacks away with her longsword, but its only when she stops and remembers Corba's inspiring speech does she get through!

The green-scarfed viking slides to flank Bobbie, and tries to hack into her side.

Battleaxe vs Bobbie, flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11

But is unable to get through her defenses!

Round 2 (Buffs: Inspire Courage)

Green (-12)
Cayden
Shannon
Corba
Red
Leon (-11, Sickened For 2 Rounds.)
Blue (-24, Bleeding for 1 round)
Yellow
Grey (-14)
Corgrim
Bobbie

Glaive PA, flank, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 24 Dmg, cold iron S: 1d10 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 1 = 23
Shannon move and flank Blue with Bobbie

Cayden takes another swing at Red...

MW Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25, for 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 damage.

...managing a shallow cut.

Inspire Courage: +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls

"...and each mission took place in Cassomir..."

I think I'll better do something about the two foes behind Leon!

Corba summons a layer of bacon grease under the feet of the vikings with the yellow and grey scarves before she draws her longsword while moving next to viking with the green scarf. (see map)
"Hey guys, do you know the song Slippery When Fat?"

casting grease, creatures in the area must make a Reflex save with DC 16 or fall prone

Reflex Save Gray: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Reflex Save Yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Shannon cuts down one of the vikings dead. Cayden gets past his Viking's shield to score first blood on him. Corba's spell leaves one of the vikings on the ground, not able to keep his feet under himself.

Cayden's opponent dances around him and tries to give Cayden a haircut.

Battleaxe vs Cayden's AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

But Cayden's able to duck beneath the blade!

Round 2 (Buffs: Inspire Courage)

Green (-12)
Cayden
Shannon
Corba
Red (-9)
Leon (-11, Sickened For 2 Rounds.)
Yellow (Prone)
Grey (-14)
Corgrim
Bobbie

Leon steps up to take advantage of the fallen foe and swings downwards at his head, ”Gonna git ya!”

MW Scythe v Prone + IC - sick: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 9 for Piercing + IC - sick: 2d4 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 10

But only finds dirt or stone with his strike.

Yellow Stands up and receives a Scythe blade to his arm for his troubles. He tries to scurry to Leon's side.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

And falls prone again.

Greybeard tries to slide away from Leon's Scythe, and moves into position on the other side of Bobbie.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

With his longspear, he tries again to make a brutal beating on the fighter.
Longspear vs Bobbie's AC, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 = 26
Piercing Damage, Sneak Attack: 1d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (5) = 12

Round 2 (Buffs: Inspire Courage)

Green (-12)
Cayden
Shannon
Corba
Red (-9)
Leon (-11, Sickened For 1 Round.)
Yellow (-11)
Grey (-14)
Corgrim
Bobbie (-12, Sickened for 2 Rounds)

Bobbie grimaces when one of the vikings hits her hard. "Not bad." She moves slightly out of reach to avoid being flanked, and attacks greenbeard.

Attack (+1 Inspire Courage; -2 Sickened; -2 Power Attack; +2 Flank): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 + 1 - 2 = 8