Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer IC

[MuffinMan]

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Like in most peasant communities in southern Taldor, the people of Heldren mostly keep to themselves. Far from the politics of Oppara and ever-watchful for Qadiran aggression, Heldren goes on as it always has, as a relatively small and unimportant hamlet of farmers, herders, and woodcutters. But Heldren is home to a secret unsuspected by its normally complacent citizens… Could the recent appearance of unseasonable winter weather in the nearby Border Wood be a harbinger of worse things to come?

Heldren

Heldren is a small village of 171 people, mostly farmers, herders, and woodcutters. A small armory sits atop a low hill northwest of the town square, ready to provide a safe refuge in case the village is attacked. Heldren’s town hall and its single inn, called the Silver Stoat, are the two largest buildings in the village, followed by the sawmill that brings income to the quiet settlement. Like many small villages, Heldren contains a general store, a blacksmith, a stable, a butcher shop, a barber, an apothecary, and a wise woman who sees to the village’s needs. To provide spiritual guidance to the village, a small temple stands near the center of town. Though the place is dedicated to Erastil, its resident cleric tends to the community regardless of an individual’s particular faith.

Heldren is located in southern Taldor near the edge of the Border Wood. Taldor’s capital of Oppara is almost 200 miles northwest of Heldren, and the closest sizable city is Zimar—Taldor’s third largest city. This fortified city on the Jalrune River houses a large number of Taldan troops ready to defend their borders from the Qadirans to the south. A small town named Demgazi sits on the other side of the Border Wood from Heldren. This area contains populations of humans, half lings, half-elves, elves, and gnomes. While half-orcs are rare, they are not unheard of in this region and they are not treated much differently from those of other races. Also, as Taldor is a somewhat tolerant country, it wouldn’t be unheard of to see aasimars, tieflings, or other strange and almost otherworldly races.


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Those PCs who are from Heldren will know most if not all of this information, and for any newcomers in town, it doesn't take long to find out.

A dirt path winds its way up a low hill west of town to the single door of this square stone tower. The tower is 30 feet high, with battlements on its roof and arrow slits along its walls. It is completely open on the inside, with no interior floors—just a wooden staircase running along the walls to the roof. The tower serves as Heldren’s armory and a place of refuge for the villagers in case the village is ever attacked. In times of peace, the tower is usually unoccupied, but a selection of simple arms and armor—crossbows, bolts, spears, javelins, as well as a few suits of leather armor, padded armor, and light wooden shields—is stored inside for the militia.
Although he spends most of his time shoeing horses and repairing farm tools, Heldren’s blacksmith, Isker Euphram (middle-aged male human), is quite skilled in battle. A veteran of Taldor’s army, Isker served in Zimar and on the Qadiran border for years before retiring to Heldren. His chain shirt, pike, and short sword are still in good condition, oiled and wrapped in a chest kept in his house behind his shop, and Isker has taken it upon himself to oversee the training of the village’s militia. He keeps a few weapons for sale in his shop, including 10 +1 cold iron sling bullets. He also has a suit of masterwork banded mail for sale (a relic of his army days), and could craft other suits of armor if needed. His daughter, Xanthippe (female human), works as his apprentice. When not at her father’s forge, Xanthippe’s likely to be found at the Silver Stoat, holding court with her numerous suitors. Although widely considered the village beauty, Xanthippe is as proficient with her fists as with her hammer, and those few of Heldren’s young men who have tried to woo her too aggressively walked away with black eyes for their troubles.
Heldren’s general store carries everything a villager needs, as well as most gear an adventurer requires. Heldren sits on the road to Zimar, so plenty of trade passes through the village. The store’s proprietor, Vivialla Steranus (female human), takes advantage of this brisk trade to stock her shelves. In general, most of the mundane adventuring gear listed in the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook can be found here, including five cold-weather outfits, leftovers from a particularly harsh winter a couple of years back. In general, Vivialla does not carry much in the way of armor or weapons, though she does currently have two magic items in stock: an arrow magnet and a ring of force shield.
Rather grand for a village of this size, Heldren’s town hall boasts a clock tower overlooking the town square. Its clockworks were imported from Qadira some time ago, and are kept in working order by Orillus Davigen (old male human), who can usually be found up in the tower tinkering with the machinery. The clock tower’s bells ring every hour from 6 am to 6 pm (the villagers prefer to keep things quiet at night), and can be used to sound the alarm if there’s a fire or to muster the militia in case of attack. The town council meets in the hall every week on Starday, though there’s usually little to discuss beyond minor disagreements between neighbors. The hall is big enough to host almost the entire populace for monthly village assemblies and large social gatherings, such as the annual Longnight dance. On the wall outside the front door hangs a notice board, where flyers are posted with local news, job openings, and goods for sale.
A well-tended garden sits in front of this equally neat house, the home of Tessaraea Willowbark (female elf), Heldren’s resident apothecary. Tessaraea is a relatively new transplant to Heldren, having arrived in the village only 10 years ago after a failed adventuring career up north in the River Kingdoms. She is quiet and somber, and most of the villagers believe she suffered some great tragedy in her past, such as the loss of her one true love. In fact, it was Tessaraea’s brother who died on an ill-fated adventure, slain by a group of trolls. Devastated by his death, she gave up adventuring and moved south, settling in Heldren and taking a human-sounding surname when she opened her apothecary shop. Tessaraea sells a variety of herbs and all of the special substances and items listed in the Core Rulebook, as well as a potion of resist energy (cold) and a surprisingly large stockpile of alchemist’s fire—since her brother’s death, Tessaraea has had an unreasoning fear of trolls, and almost obsessively crafts the stuff for the (in her mind) inevitable moment when she must face them again.
An artist with razors and scissors, Argus Goldtooth (male dwarf) offers shaves, haircuts, and dentistry, as well as “leechery and other surgical proceedings.” Argus is a fair healer, though he’s prone to prescribing leeches (which fill several jars on high shelves in his shop) for most maladies, from stomachaches to broken bones. Argus also offers gold teeth to replace extracted ones, and is his own best customer—his easy smile reveals more gold teeth in his mouth than original ones. Though he would never admit it to anyone, Argus has something of a crush on his neighbor, the apothecary Tessaraea Willowbark. Argus has never acted on these feelings, but the two have struck up an unlikely friendship, and it’s not uncommon to find Argus helping tend Tessaraea’s garden on Sundays or sharing a pint with her at the Silver Stoat in the evenings.
Heldren’s only tavern, the Silver Stoat, stands right on the town square across from the town hall. A fixture of village life, the tavern fills up with patrons in the evening as they gather to share gossip, hear news, and reward themselves for a hard day’s work. Anything that’s worth knowing in Heldren gets talked about here, and if asked where he got a particularly juicy bit of gossip or information, a villager will likely say, “I heard it from the Stoat.” Husband and wife Menander (male human) and Kale Garimos (female human) run the Silver Stoat as if it were their family kitchen— there’s always a seat at the table or a space by the hearth for a guest, or a warm bowl of Menander’s hearty stew for an empty belly. Menander works in the kitchen, cooking up his famous venison flank steak and numble pie. Kale tends bar, serving up the tavern’s signature brew, Three Devil Ale, which she brews in-house using imported Chelish hops. Heldren doesn’t get many visitors, so there is no true inn in the village, but travelers are welcome to a spot on the floor of the Stoat next to the fireplace for a night, as long as they’re up early and on their way. Those who linger risk a rude awakening from Menander’s wet mop in their faces.
At the stable next door to the Silver Stoat, Sophia Imirras (female human) offers horses (and a single pony) for hire or sale, as well as stabling and grooming. Royal couriers on their way to or from Demgazi or Zimar often change horses here. None of Sophia’s horses are combat trained. Sophia also has two carts, a wagon, and a carriage for hire. A traveling noble gave her the carriage as a reward when she managed to calm the newly broken stallion he was riding before it could trample him. Both luxurious and ostentatious, the carriage sees most of its use at village weddings.
The most notable feature of Heldren’s town square is the large statue of a beautiful woman right in the center of the town. Usually just called “the Lady,” the statue has been here for as long as anyone can remember, and no one knows who it actually represents. Some believe the Lady was the founder of Heldren or some ancient, forgotten Taldan noblewoman or even a mysterious fey forest goddess. Others have more sinister theories—an evil witch turned to stone for her wickedness or a magical statue through which the satrap of Qadira can spy on Taldor. On any given day, a few entrepreneurs selling goods or produce can be found on the square, and a market is held on the last Fireday of every month. Elder Natharen Safander (middle-aged male human) also hosts the annual Harvest Feast in the town square, during which the people of Heldren erect a giant bonfire in the square and bedeck the Lady in garlands of flowers.
The leader of Heldren’s village council, Ionnia Teppen (middle-aged female human), lives in this simple two-story house just off the town square. Ionnia’s family has had a place in Heldren’s politics for generations, and her membership on the town council was all but assured. She is by far the most influential member of the council, and most villagers consider her the de facto mayor of Heldren.
Although Elder Natharen Safander is a cleric of Erastil, he tends to all of the village’s flock regardless of their faith. Though most of the villagers follow the teachings of Old Deadeye, the temple also contains shrines to Abadar, Gozreh, Pharasma, and even Sarenrae. Natharen doesn’t much care for the Taldan government’s intolerant stance on the faith of the Dawnflower, and believes that in a village like Heldren the sun goddess is as important as the god of agriculture. Natharen’s wife, Zaarida (female human), is a Qadiran transplant and faithful worshiper of Sarenrae, and assists him during services and with the temple’s upkeep. The temple also has some minor divine magic items for sale, including a scroll of aid and a wand of magic weapon (24 charges).
Heldren’s foremost woodworker is Tengezil Frimbocket (male gnome), a gnome with a wild shock of electric blue hair. He decorates his creations with delicate and elaborate trim he calls “gingerbread,” a style that has proven quite popular among the well-to-do of Taldor’s southern cities. Tengezil claims to be from Wispil, but he is in fact an exile from the land of Irrisen, far to the north. Tengezil has a twin brother named Arbagazor, but the two were separated when they were young, and Tengezil assumes his brother is dead.
Heldren’s sawmill stays busy day and night cutting timber harvested by the village’s woodcutters into planks for shipment to Zimar and other cities, and stacks of lumber are always heaped outside. Partners Alexius Demetri (male human) and Lycio Vallant (male human) oversee the sawmill’s operation, which makes them two of Heldren’s wealthiest residents. Their large house on the north side of town is easily Heldren’s largest private home, nicknamed “Sawmill Manor” by the town.
The name of this butcher shop refers to the supposed nickname of its proprietor, Perkin Tarimm (male halfling), who claims to be a retired Zimar corsair. In fact, Perkin was nothing more than a common river bandit who took up the safer trade of butchery when the real Zimar corsairs almost caught him, and he has never butchered anything beyond the chickens and pigs that inhabit the yard behind his shop. Customers are welcome to enjoy one of the pickled sows’ ears in the large jar on the counter while they wait for Perkin to prepare their cuts of meat.
Every village has its resident wise woman, and Heldren is no exception. No one in the village is sure just how ancient Old Mother Theodora (as everyone calls her) is, but she’s been around as long as anyone in town can remember. Old Mother Theodora is Heldren’s most skilled midwife, and she helped deliver just about everyone currently living in the village. She’s also a soothsayer and hedge witch, and villagers come to her to have their fortunes told or buy love potions or herbal remedies. Among the jars of dried herbs and strange ingredients in her hut, Old Mother Theodora also has a scroll of sleep and a wand of scorching ray (42 charges) that she might be willing to part with for the right price.

[MuffinMan]

The Party

Erik Armstrong (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628865): Rough & Tumble Engineer/Alchemist
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B1QGw8atRk3_LTVXRFZ2TzExbEU

Erik was born and raised in the town of Heldren. His father was a craftsmen, and he bestowed on his son a love of building and designing things. Dipping into alchemy at a young age, Erik seemed to hold a keen insight into the inner workings of chemicals. One which he leveraged to eventually open his own Apothecary and Repair shop.

Melissa was a farmer's daughter whom regularly came into town to exchange their crops for goods and services. It was on one of these trips that she entered Erik's apothecary and the two hit it off immediately. Married within the year, Erik and Melissa could not be happier.

To help with the apothecary, she would go out on long walks to gather ingredients whilst Erik would remain in the shop. However, on one of these trips, a freak blizzard hit the area, blinding everyone with its snow. Fearful for her safety, and heedless of his own, Erik ventured forth into the blizzard to search for his wife. No one knows exactly what happened after that. The next day the villagers found him next to her body on the outskirts of town. Tears streaming down his face the only words that would come out of his mouth were "Witch...Burn Them..." Few in the village believed what they heard. Instead saying that the blizzard and his wife's death had addled his brain.

After that he shuttered his doors and did not reappear for many weeks. By then, Tessaraea had already moved into town and set up a small cart in the village center to sell her herbs and plants. Coming to a quick agreement, Erik sold her his shop, though he retained the basement for his own use. He still helps her run it, though is seldomly seen outside of his workshop.

Melissa's death, and the unseasonable snowstorm that caused it, were ten years ago, although not a day goes by that Erik doesn't remember it. The townsfolk of Heldren may all chalk it up to a senseless tragedy, but he knows what he saw: creatures in the snow, winds that moved in ways unlike any other storm he'd ever seen, and a humanoid shape, dressed all in white, that seemed to be commanding the storm - although it vanished at the sound of his call.

For the most part, the others residents of Heldren look on Erik with a mixture of fear, pity, and compassion, and if they don't exactly believe his "conspiracy theories" about witches and malicious forces, they're at least polite enough not to press the issue. Tessaraea Willowbark, in particular, goes out of her way to be kind to the cantankerous engineer who now lives in her basement and helps her around the shop. Whenever she and Argus Goldtooth prepare a meal from the produce of her garden, she always takes an extra plate downstairs to leave outside Erik's door.

Not all the townsfolk are so compassionate, however. Erik's chief antagonist in Heldren is a man name Jasper Abernathy, one of the foremen at the local sawmill. In the evenings after a few pints at the Silver Stoat, Erik is usually the preferred target of his mean-spirited jokes, although he's careful not to utter them when he thinks Erik could overhear directly. A coward and a bully, he goes out of his way to make Erik's life miserable (probably out of nothing more than his own boredom).



Mick "Me" Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=778724): Larger-than-life Uncivilized Outdoorsman
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"Mick" was born to a hardy Ulfen woman who's name he never knew. She died in childbirth, as her progeny was the son of a full-blown giant. Her human-sized body simply couldn't handle the giant-sized baby boy. For good or ill, the hulking brute of a man knows very little of his childhood.

In truth, he was largely ignored. Without a mother, not knowing his father, the young boy was literally left to fend for himself or starve well before he came of age. Fortunately, he was always a keenly observant boy, and had grown up quickly, both physically and mentally. Hunting and fishing came easily to him, and he ate well in the verdant summers of the Linnorm Kings' lands. Winters, however, can be harsh, and before long Mick found himself following migratory animals southward, in search of warmer streams and heartier hunting.

Unfortunately, a hulking brutish man with little guidance often succeeds at attracting the wrong kind of attention. In Varisia, it wasn't long at all before the young man was captured by a gang of thugs and raiders. His stature immediately gave him away as nonhuman, and his dull-witted speech (or mostly lack thereof) immediately gave him away as pliable. They were wrong about the last part.

After a few years of regular beatings to "knock the fight" out of him, Mick's opportunity finally appeared. The raiders bit off more than they could chew, and a nearby militia brought the fight to them. Cowed and beaten, when the survivors surrendered, Mick and a handful of other captives were released by the militia. Not understanding his newfound freedom. Mick immediately bolted into the shadows.

In the days that followed, Mick stumbled across another released captive: a mammoth calf, no doubt to be sold as an exotic mount or pet in the south. The beast looked hurt, and Mick knew from experience that mammoth meat was too tough to make good hunting. He approached, with the intention of silencing the calf's pitiful cries. As fate would have it, there was but a sharp sliver of some broken wooden haft buried in it's paw, and a quick tug relieved the animal's pain. Ever after, the two were inseparable.

With little else on his mind, Mick was driven to make sure that the experience of capture never happened again. He hunted, and wandered, little by little further southward, always distant from any establishments and roads he came across. With no aim but survival and the beauty of the earth, the decades passed.
One fateful evening, far from his homelands, the storms of winter happened upon him. Familiar with the nearby wilderness, Mick was loping towards a cave he had slept in before when he came across a human- several miles from the nearest settlement, which was itself a small town. Curious, he followed the man, unseen.

Several times, the man called into the raging storm, as if anyone would hear him over the howl of the winds. As the storm worsened, the man began to struggle. When he finally collapsed, Mick felt it would be wrong to leave him there to die, exposed to the elements. He tossed the man over a shoulder, and made for the cave.

When he woke, the two didn't know how to react to each other. Mick didn't understand the man's speech, and the man didn't understand how he came to be in the cave. Still, he knew that he was alive, and that the grunting hulk of a man was to thank. Over the ensuing weeks, the small man taught the large man very many things- chief amongst them the local language, and the arts of reading and writing. One evening, when picking up some of the most basic of words, he pointed to himself, and grunted in the common tongue: "Me." Misheard or misinterpreted, after some 30 years, Mick had a name.

Although Mick prefers to live on his own in the forests and caves surrounding Heldren, with Erik's assistance he has become, if not typical, at least a familiar sight around town - the militia no longer gets called out on his approach, and the bolder children love to tag along and toss a sheepskin ball back and forth with "Big Mick". Less savory members of the community may mutter darkly into their cups about the "dim-witted half-breed", but they all have the sense not to provoke the anger of a man that towers head and shoulders above them all.

Heldren provides Mick with a ready supply of new reading materials and manufactured tools, and in return the half-giant has been known to do various odd jobs where his exceptional size and strength are prime assets. Just last month, Menander and Kale Garimos hired Mick to stand around as a "bouncer" of sorts while the Silver Stoat hosted the members of a particularly large and rambunctious merchant caravan. His intimidating presence seemed to keep the peace better than even Menander's cooking, and for nothing more than standing about for a few hours Mick earned a gold coin's worth of wages. His favorites jobs to do, though, are next door at the stable, where Sophia Imirras will occasionally let him help feed and brush the horses.



Sharvati Fairweather (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461), Self-imposed Pariah w/ Affinity for the Cold
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Sharvati Fairweather was found, so she was told, by the woman that she would come to call 'mother' as she walked down a back-country road toward the small farm she shared with her husband. Past child-bearing age, and having found this half-orc youngling abandoned in the countryside (likely due, Sharvati was told, to her strikingly silver hair and electric blue eyes, both extremely unusual in the region), she felt as though the gods were smiling upon her and her husband, and she took this outcast in, raising her with every bit of the love and care she would have lavished upon her own children.

Sharvati seemed to take after her human heritage, remaining slender and lithe despite the healthy dose of physical exertion that came along with the ongoing operation of a farm, but her pronounced canines and green-gray skin provoked guarded stares and hushed tones among the folk of the nearest township when she accompanied her father or mother to market. The steadfast optimism of her adoptive parents encouraged Sharvati to look past these slights, and to speak up proudly for herself and her parents. She began to earn some grudging acceptance from the townsfolk. It soon became clear that the opinions of these farmers and woodworkers was the least of her problems...

During one particularly savage winter, Sharvati found herself caught up in a sudden blizzard, and was barely able to stumble her way home. As the chill sapped her strength, it seemed as though Sharvati spiked a sudden fever. Waking suddenly from a hazy nightmare to hear her mother sobbing in one corner of the small farmhouse, Sharvati asked for what reason she cried, and where was papa? Through her mother's sobbing tears, she could barely make out that he had ventured out into the storm, planning to make for town in search of medicine for their daughter, and had not returned... Sharvati had slept fitfully for the better part of 3 days, and it was sure that he was lost to the wind and cold. The shocking pain of loss jolted through Sharvati, and the icy chill that gripped her body twisted at her innards. Suddenly she felt the warmth of her mother's hand on her exposed arm, and something within her seemed to break loose. The words of comfort died on her mother's lips, and with a sharp intake of breath the wizened woman flinched away from her adopted daughter. With a pained need, Sharvati instinctively reached around for her mother's hand, seeking the warmth of her touch. As she grasped her mother's hand, she felt it grow cold in her grasp, and looked up to meet her mother's expression of confusion and pain. As the woman collapsed beside her onto the bed, Sharvati looked with horror at her own hand before flinging her head back to add her own pain and loss to the howling of the storm outside. Having lost the only family she ever knew, and fearful of the suspicious gaze of the townsfolk, she gathered what supplies she could from the farm and fled the hollow shell of a good life senselessly torn away from her...

Just over thirteen months into her self-imposed exile, Sharvati finds herself in the quiet town of Heldren needing to rest and resupply. Newcomers to Heldren are always a cause for gossip and staring, but Sharvati's inhuman features, weaponry, and striking beauty seem to be drawing more attention to her than most! To her surprise, on her arrival the townsfolk almost seem to be ignoring the largest man she'd ever seen, except for his blonde companion, normal-sized, who watches her with a guarded expression.

Arriving early in the evening, Sharvati finds the doors to the general store already shuttered and its proprietor, Vivialla Steranus, nowhere to be found. Resigning herself to spending the night in this quaint village, she makes her way across the street to the Silver Stoat, where Menander Garimos' venison stew and a pint of Three Devil Ale help to shake the ever-present chill from her bones. Heeding Menander's warning to be up early, she prepares her bedroll in a corner of the common room, next to the fireplace, and falls asleep wondering what her next destination will be...



Lady Argentea Malassene (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=734433): Fiery Taldan noblewoman carrying arcane secrets
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/c2bcd773-250c-4b6d-8299-0fe46cf78f62_zpsrtuhgyqg.png


Argentea is the middle child of House Malassene, a minor noble family of Taldor. Her older brother, Josiah, is being groomed to inherit the family estates, and her younger sister, Emilia, has already been wed for a year. Her childhood was filled with typical noble schooling: tutoring in etiquette, history, etc.

She was sent to the frozen country of Irrisen at the age of 14 as part of a diplomatic exchange, to study under the white witches. She showed some magical aptitude, but ultimately left because although talented her pride got her in trouble with her new teachers on many occasion. Unbeknownst to the rest of her family, she has continued to study and practice magic on her own in the years since returning from Irrisen, resulting in some very unorthodox techniques.

Several months ago the Malassenes reached an arrangement that Argentea should be wed to Edmond Trevistan, the scion of another minor house. Two and a half weeks ago, Argentea traveled from Oppara to Zimar (passing through Heldren) to meet her betrothed.
The two did not hit it off, and she caused a scandal by calling off the engagement. She was returning home to Oppara when her caravan was ambushed and she was carried off by bandits! She has been trapped in the basement of the High Sentinel Lodge for a few days waiting for what was to become of her...

Rescued from an unpleasant fate at the hands of Rhokar's Raiders, Argentea struggles to adapt to new friends, and new enemies. She wonders both about her role in the fey's plans and her place among her new companions, as the weather grows ever colder...

[MuffinMan]

Part One: An Early Frost

The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.

As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.


Erik had risen before first light to go find Mick and bring him into town, concerned for his friend’s well-being after hearing the troubling rumors of new dangers in the forest. The pair of them now sit at a table in the Silver Stoat, enjoying an island of relative calm in the quiet period just after the morning meal. Erik has never seen the town so agitated, and the normally quiet streets of Heldren are buzzing with townsfolk going this way and that, exchanging news and gossip with their neighbors and wondering what it all could mean. Aside from Kale Garimos busily washing the morning’s dishes behind the bar, the common room of the Stoat is currently empty of any other patrons, except for the strange half-orc woman who appeared yesterday, just when events in the forest seemed to be coming to a head…

Sharvati has just returned from picking up basic provisions across the street at Vivialla's general store, and she doesn’t know what to make of the sudden excitement that has swept the town, seemingly coincident with her own arrival. Last night and this morning, she hasn’t been able to help but overhear some of the rumors that are swirling around town - mysterious threats, bandit ambushes, and especially… snow! In the middle of summer! Sharvati feels her pulse quicken as she ponders the implications, and any possible connections to her own dark secret… Suddenly she realizes she is not alone in the common room, and that the huge man from yesterday is there as well, studying her with open curiosity. His blonde friend is there, too, although his expression is significantly less welcoming.


Now would be an appropriate time to RP introductions! I also need Diplomacy or Knowledge: Local checks from everyone to determine how much you’ve been able to learn through the local rumor mill (see below). Erik gets a +2 Circumstance bonus on the Knowledge: Local check.

Everyone says the weather is unseasonably cold for midsummer - it even snowed in the Border Wood! Most suspect magic is involved, and some fear Qadiran agents played a role in it.

Old Man Dansby claims that someone keeps stealing from his fields. His farm lies closest to the Border Wood, where half of his crops have died from an icy frost and the rest have been carried off.

A farmer’s son took ill a few days ago after falling through the ice over Wishbone Creek. The boy said he spotted a white stag in the forest - and heard it talking - then tried to follow it.

A group of rangers in the Border Wood called the High Sentinels usually keep bandit activity curbed. They’re doing a poor job if brigands could attack a well-armed caravan and abduct Lady Argentea.

Locals say a hunter named Dryden Kepp claimed he saw a giant white weasel on the High Ridge in the forest. No one believed him so he went back to trap it and prove them wrong.

Two weeks ago, Lady Argentea Malassene traveled past Heldren on her way from Oppara to Zimar to meet her betrothed. Rumor has it the two didn’t get along and Lady Argentea caused a scandal by calling off the engagement and returning home.

[JWallyR]

As a tremor of the ever-pervading chill courses through her body, Sharvati scoots closer to the fireplace, finding little relief from her point dangerously close to the tongues of flame themselves. Clutching closely about her a nondescript but serviceable hooded cloak (purchased from the general store to replace the tattered and ill-sized remnants of her mother's winter cloak), the tall-ish half-orc woman looks somehow very small. Noticing the stares of the only other occupants of the common room, she swallows deeply before standing to walk (somewhat stiffly) toward the smaller of the two men, inclining her head slightly at the man. "Well met, stranger. I can tell your friend here hasn't seen many half-orcs before, but you've got the look of a man who's heard things about us that lead him to caution. I promise you, I mean no harm to you or your town." A wan smile breaks out below pained eyes as she greets him. "I must admit though, if half of the rumors I've heard this morning alone are true, I'd be suspicious of strangers. 'Specially this weather..." she trails off, shivering once more despite the comfortable warmth of the room.

[Farmerbink]

As the tusked woman approaches, Mick eyes her with naked distrust. His expression softens slightly as she starts to speak, settling into a confused frown as she stops talking. In the heavy silence that follows, Mick turns to face Erik. In halting common, he slowly asks, "Mick... try with... she?"

After a pregnant pause, the shorter man nods. Mick turns his attention back to the woman. Rising, slowly, from his chair, he straightens up, and slowly raises his chest. Eyes closed in focus, chest raised like a peacock, he extends a huge fitted hand openly towards the woman. "Nice meet you," he says. His eyes open and suddenly widen in realization; he smiles in a feral imitation of pleasantness.

"Me Mick," he says, open hand waiting to shake.

[Untarr]

Looking up from the table, the man squints at the half-orc woman with only one eye open. After eyeing her from head to toe, he leans over and noisily spits into a cup. Leaning back without a word, his boots slam onto the table while his hands reach for his goggle strap. Producing a small white cylinder, he places it in his mouth and holds it with his lips while continuing to pat himself down. After a few moments, he smiles briefly before leaning forward. Cupping his hands around his face, you notice a flash and the smell of sulfur permeates the air. Pulling his head back, the cigarette is lit and glows bright as the man takes a deep breath through it. His gaze returns to the half orc.

"Toots. If you are so fearful of strangers...why'd you introduce yourself to two of 'em?" Holding his hand up "Don't answer that. I don't really wanna know. I's just screwing with you. Heeeehhhh--heheheh." His laugh comes out as more of a wheeze. The voice is grating, like his throat has been rubbed raw by years of that cough.

"Names Erik. Erik Armstrong. I've seen you've met my friend Mick." Leaning forward with a fingerless gloved hand, he grasps her hand firmly before leaning back in his chair. "I wouldn't pay any attention to any rumors. These backwards folk won't listen to me, someone whose lived here his whole life, but one guard shows up with the EXACT SAME FRIGGIN STORY and the whole world comes unglued." Pulling the cigarette out, he gasps it between his fingers whilst pointing at the half-orc. "Now, ain't that some ****?"

[MuffinMan]

At the bar, Kale Garimos doesn't look up from her washing, but the slowing motions of her towel and the slight incline of her upper body towards the common area betray her curiosity at the unfolding conversation. A light gust of wind makes its way through the tavern's open door to set the flames in the fireplace to dancing, but the room remains otherwise undisturbed for the moment.

Keep going!

[JWallyR]

"Me Mick," he says, open hand waiting to shake.

A hint of a smile tugs at the corners of Sharvati's mouth as the big man postures himself for a greeting with which he is clearly still developing proficiency. She releases the folds of her cloak to reach out, gently gripping the extended hand in her own before shaking it slowly and deliberately. "Greetings, Mick. My name is Sharvati." She smiles warmly before releasing his hand and turning to the big man's companion.


"Toots. If you are so fearful of strangers...why'd you introduce yourself to two of 'em?" Holding his hand up "Don't answer that. I don't really wanna know. I's just screwing with you. Heeeehhhh--heheheh." His laugh comes out as more of a wheeze. The voice is grating, like his throat has been rubbed raw by years of that cough.

"Names Erik. Erik Armstrong. I've seen you've met my friend Mick." Leaning forward with a fingerless gloved hand, he grasps her hand firmly before leaning back in his chair. "I wouldn't pay any attention to any rumors. These backwards folk won't listen to me, someone whose lived here his whole life, but one guard shows up with the EXACT SAME FRIGGIN STORY and the whole world comes unglued." Pulling the cigarette out, he gasps it between his fingers whilst pointing at the half-orc. "Now, ain't that some ****?"

Smiling diplomatically at the gruff man, Sharvati responds with a tone whose warmth is almost imperceptibly more deliberate and studied than that with which she greeted his companion: "I think you mistake my meaning, since I'm the stranger in your town. In any event, " she continues, "even if there's no truth to the rumors, such cold in the summer must be worrying. I've... " the woman's brows furrow in thought for a moment, "...developed a bit of a sensitivity to the chill in the last few months, and if the seasons don't put themselves back in order I may have to seek warmer climes." Her gaze falls to settle on the surface of the table, and she pulls her cloak tightly around her once more.

[Untarr]

"...developed a bit of a sensitivity to the chill in the last few months, and if the seasons don't put themselves back in order I may have to seek warmer climes." Her gaze falls to settle on the surface of the table, and she pulls her cloak tightly around her once more.

"Not me, Toots. I say bring on the winter. Mostly cause what comes with it has an appointment with Melissa and friends." Placing the cigarette back in his mouth, the man smiles darkly. He opens up his jacket to reveal a pair of bandoleers packed with vials and jars of various sizes. "There won't be enough of those witches left for you to burn at the stake after I'm done with them."

[JWallyR]

Sharvati blinks confusedly at Erik. "Melissa? Who's that? And what does she have to do with witches?"

[MuffinMan]

Before Erik can respond, the twin doors to the Silver Stoat swing open and admit two new persons to the common room. Erik immediately recognizes both Ionnia Teppen and Natharen Safander, both members of Heldren’s town council and both wearing identically anxious expressions that soften only slightly as they recognize him. “Erik! We’ve been looking for you.”

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/936c329e-95e2-48da-8298-6c0a94a65983_zpsjedhttqx.png
Ionnia is a woman in her late forties, with a stern expression and no-nonsense manner earned from years of wrangling policy as the council leader and de-facto Mayor of Heldren. With a nod to Kale behind the counter, she sweeps forward and wastes no time addressing the subject of her now-completed search. "Good, your friend is here as well. Mick, was it?" she smiles genuinely if a trifle uncertainly at the seated half-giant, who nevertheless is tall enough to meet her gaze eye-to-eye. "And I don’t think I’ve yet had the pleasure, Miss…?" Ionnia waits only the bare minimum required for Sharvati to respond before pressing on, the strain of nerves lending an unusual edge to her tone and quickness to her words.

"I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors by now of unusual winter weather in the Border Wood." Ionnia turns her gaze as she speaks to all assembled, but she focuses her attention on Erik. "Well, we have confirmation now from multiple sources that it’s true. Feet of snow, in the middle of summer! And it gets worse!" Her brow furrows in a frown, and faint spiderwebs wrinkle at the corners of her eyes as she continues. "A rider made it into town last night, badly wounded. He claims to have been a mercenary guarding the caravan of one Lady Argentea Malassene. Yesterday morning, on their way around the outskirts of the Border Wood, they were beset upon by bandits and the Lady carried off. This man was the only survivor of the attack." She sighs and puts a hand up to massage her temple. "Natharen and I have just come from hearing his story ourselves, and we believe he speaks the truth. Something dangerous is in those woods, and it’s already killed honest men and carried off an innocent woman!"

She swallows and pauses a moment to catch her breath, and a cloud comes over her face as though she were steeling herself to do something unpleasant. "Erik. The council wants you to go look for the Lady Argentea, to rescue her if you can, and to find out what’s going on in those Woods. Your friend Mick, too, if he’s willing." She turns quickly to Sharvati before the alchemist can reply. "And how about you, Miss? You have the look of adventurer - at least you look like you know how to handle yourself. Heldren has no resources to mount a rescue expedition… Would you go and assist Erik? Don’t do it for us, do it for that poor woman being held all alone by those brutes! You all may be the only chance she has..." She trails off and looks away with a pained expression; something in the tragic tale has evidently struck a nerve in the normally unflappable Councilor.

[Untarr]

"heh hehe....heh heh hehhh...haa haa hahaa...HAAAHAAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH" Erik's laugh crescendo's violently until it is stopped short by a wicked cough. Hocking up something in his throat, he spits it into the nearby jar.

"You've got some nerve Ionnia. After what you pulled when Melissa died, I aughta tell you to take this request and stick it where the sun don't shine." He takes another long drag of his cigarette before smashing it out against his boot. "But at the end of the day, I'm just a better person than that. 'Sides, I've been preparing for the coming of the winter witches since her funeral. Wouldn't sit out the big show now that its finally arrived." Erik grins widely, pearly white teeth glean in the morning sun.

Erik stands up. Using his hands he cracks his lower back either direction before reaching under the table. He stands up and slings a small bag around his shoulder. Made of green canvas, you can't quite make out what is in it.

"Let's go talk to this fella. I wanna know just what exactly we're up against."

As he passes the bar. "Kale...better give me a shot. Don't think I'll be coming back tonight."

[JWallyR]

After listening to the councilwoman's description with a look of mingled fear and concern, Sharvati gives her a look of surprise and confusion at her own inclusion in the conversation. Her obvious inner dialogue is interrupted only briefly by a flash of insight as Melissa's name is mentioned, but after several seconds an expression of determination seems to win out on her face, and she looks up into the face of the councilwoman. "I'll go. I may not be much help, but someone should."

[Farmerbink]

Mick's expression is vague and unreadable as the councilwoman walks in. He nods slowly at her talk of unseasonable weather, and scowls suddenly at her confirmation. "I see it already," he mutters.

Slowly, realization of the situation dawns on the big man. With trepidation, he looks to Erik. The small man's brusque but somehow eager response seems to have a significant impact. He nods as Erik rises, and waits for the man to lead the way into the square. "Need Cam?" he asks Erik, prompting a quick shake of the smaller man's head. Mick plods along behind the Alchemist, content to trust the smaller man's guidance within the town.

[JWallyR]

From her position slightly behind the Erick and Mick, Sharvati walks stiffly to keep up with their brisk pace and broad strides. "So, how's this going to work?" she says to Erick. "Your friend here looks like he can handle himself in a fight, and I have... talents that may come in handy. Got some tricks in that bag?" She looks with mingled suspicion and curiosity at the green canvas bag slung over the man's shoulder.

[Farmerbink]

Mick snorts. "Erik make boom," he says. Otherwise, the big man doesn't seem to be very talkative, and he falls back into a tense silence as they cross the small town square.

[MuffinMan]

"Let's go talk to this fella. I wanna know just what exactly we're up against."

As he passes the bar. "Kale...better give me a shot. Don't think I'll be coming back tonight."


"I'll go. I may not be much help, but someone should."

Some of the tension visibly leaves Ionnia’s face at hearing the group’s acceptance of her charge. "Good, I- yes, thank you." She takes a breath to steady herself. "You should speak with the wounded mercenary before you go, but don’t tarry too long. He’s been moved to the Apothecary this morning - didn’t Tessaraea tell you? He can better explain what you’re up against. Kale, you'd better make that two." At the bar, Kale Garimos’ eyebrows raise slightly at the unusual request, but obligingly sets out two shot glasses and proceeds to fill them from the bottle of Oldlaw Whiskey she keeps hidden under the bar, behind the sacks of flour. Erik remembers this bottle only makes appearances on very special occasions indeed - the last he can remember seeing it was at the annual Longnight dance last winter.

As the group begins to leave the Stoat, they are stopped at the door by Elder Safander. Significantly older than Councilor Teppen, his green eyes are yet sharp and alert, and nothing in his dress aside from the bow-and-arrow sigil burned into his leather cloak distinguishes him as a cleric of Erastil and the town’s foremost religious leader. "If you’re running off into those woods, take this.” He produces a slender wooden wand from inside his cloak - yew, from the look of the grain, and well-worn with use. "It has the power to mend wounds. I fear you may need it more than us in the days to come. Go, rescue the Lady Argentea, and may Old Deadeye bless you with his favor."

This is a wand of cure light wounds with 25 charges.


From her position slightly behind the Erick and Mick, Sharvati walks stiffly to keep up with their brisk pace and broad strides. "So, how's this going to work?" she says to Erick. "Your friend here looks like he can handle himself in a fight, and I have... talents that may come in handy. Got some tricks in that bag?" She looks with mingled suspicion and curiosity at the green canvas bag slung over the man's shoulder.


Mick snorts. "Erik make boom," he says. Otherwise, the big man doesn't seem to be very talkative, and he falls back into a tense silence as they cross the small town square.

It doesn’t take long at all to reach the Apothecary, being located only two doors down from the Stoat. Outside the door, Tessaraea’s garden is nearing full bloom; tomatoes, carrots, and gourds continue to ripen in the warm summer air, heedless of the commotion about town or the threat of oncoming winter. Used to the sight, Erik wastes no time in striding to the door and entering without knocking, the small bell on the handle chiming his arrival.

"Yes, who-? Oh, Erik, it’s you." Tessarea Willowbark looks up from her workbench, where an impressive array of ingredients, vials, and alchemical tools almost obscure the slight elven woman behind. "And Mick - welcome. And who’s your new friend?" Leaving her work, she comes around the counter to study the new arrivals.

"I take it you’ve spoken with the Council? They came by this morning but you had already gone - to fetch Mick, I assume? Anyway, the guard, Yuln, is sleeping back there- " she indicates the back supply room of the Apothecary, before leaning closer and lowering her voice. "He’ll survive, but it’s ugly. So many wounds, and the frostbite-! It’ll be a miracle if he keeps all his fingers... "

"Who’s out there? These bandages itch like a molting harpy!! Got any more of that venison stew?!"

"I guess he’s awake." With a small shake of her head, Tessaraea starts gathering a fresh collection of bandages and poultices from various cubbyholes and drawers all about the store. "You’d better go in and see him yourself."


As warned, the Ulfen mercenary is not a pretty sight to behold. A table has been cleared to serve as a makeshift cot, and on it the man now rests, wrapped in so many bandages that hardly any exposed skin is showing, and what little there is is blackened with serious frostbite. As he sees the party enter, the man heaves himself to a half-sitting position with a grunt of pain, and waves them closer.

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/f11bfb96-6ab1-4511-bd74-0e8ce498487e_zpsdyyuj0fe.png


Respond to any points you like. (We can RP any conversations further, if desired.)

[Farmerbink]

Mick steps into the apothecary with an annoyed expression. He bows his head to pass beneath the sturdy wooden lintel- more than a few bruises taught that lesson thoroughly in the past few months. His feet pad with an impressive lack of sound into the back room, where Yuln awaits. At the mention of frostbite, the big man scowls angrily, but says nothing.

********

A sudden hiss marks Mick's intake of breath at the sight of Yuln's injuries. Mick's scowl deepens. He keeps his hands firmly to himself, and grunts, "Not natural. Bad witches make cold for hurting. Fingers and nose fall off when black... like that." He gestures vaguely to the man's visage as he relates the memories of similar violence from his childhood.

He meets the injured man's expression for the first time, sparking a hint of recognition in the burly Skald's eyes. He may or may not place it, but this man has seen features like Mick's before.

"Where you fight bad witches?" he asks, with a sneer.

[JWallyR]

"Not natural. Bad witches make cold for hurting. Fingers and nose fall off when black... like that."

Sharvati hesitates, stunned at the big man's brusque presentation of the man's situation. Taking a moment to recover her composure, she addresses the man briefly. "I'm sure he means to say that we're sorry to see you suffering in this way, and we hope that you recover fully, and soon."


"Where you fight bad witches?" he asks, with a sneer.

"Yes," the half-orc interjects, "any knowledge you can give us would help... we've been asked to look for your mistress, and any other survivors we can find." She smiles apologetically at the man between apprehensive glances at her happenstance companions.

Diplomacy to improve his opinion, and/or ask for info? [roll0]

[MuffinMan]

He meets the injured man's expression for the first time, sparking a hint of recognition in the burly Skald's eyes. He may or may not place it, but this man has seen features like Mick's before.

"Where you fight bad witches?" he asks, with a sneer.


"Yes," the half-orc interjects, "any knowledge you can give us would help... we've been asked to look for your mistress, and any other survivors we can find." She smiles apologetically at the man between apprehensive glances at her happenstance companions.

"You ought to know, you-!" the wounded guard bites off whatever he was about to say with a glower at Mick, evidently not liking whatever recollection the sight of the hulking albino has stirred in his memories.

"Ughn... What I mean is, it's as I've said since I arrived." He shifts his weight so that he is addressing primarily Sharvati, studiously avoiding further glances in the half-giant's direction. "We were passing the outskirts of the Border Wood, some six miles south of here. There were over a dozen of us - ten other fighting men like myself. None of the rest made it..." He closes his eyes a moment as a rictus of pain and/or rage ripples through him. "We thought they were just bandits at first, outlaws who hide like stinking wolves in the forest. They were no match for us! But then came the cold fey of the North..." The man's voice drops to a near-whisper, and his eyes take on a vacant, faraway character as he continues, "They appeared among us, of a sudden, and the battle turned quickly - there was naught we could do to stop them! My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to see them this far south... That blasted snowstorm must have been their work, I'm sure of it!"

Grinding his teeth, the mercenary continues."The Lady Argentea was alive, last I saw, but she was being carried off deeper into the Wood and I couldn't follow - it was all I could do to make it out alive..." His eyes regain their focus on their present surroundings, and Yuln studies the three before him with renewed scrutiny. "Unlike the last pair that were asking, you all look young and capable enough to actually do something about it. Do you mean to go and rescue the Lady yourselves?"

[Untarr]

At the bar, Kale Garimos’ eyebrows raise slightly at the unusual request, but obligingly sets out two shot glasses and proceeds to fill them from the bottle of Oldlaw Whiskey she keeps hidden under the bar, behind the sacks of flour. Erik remembers this bottle only makes appearances on very special occasions indeed - the last he can remember seeing it was at the annual Longnight dance last winter.

Erik's eyes widen at the bottle, but shrugs quickly before taking the shot and slamming the glass on the bar. Giving Ionia a meaningful look, the man sets out into the town.


"Your friend here looks like he can handle himself in a fight, and I have... talents that may come in handy. Got some tricks in that bag?"

Don't you worry your pretty little head Toots. Erik make boom indeed. I like that Mick. Think I'll introduce myself like that from now on. 'Hi, name is Erik. I make Boom.' The man cackles at his own joke.


"You ought to know, you-!" the wounded guard bites off whatever he was about to say with a glower at Mick, evidently not liking whatever recollection the sight of the hulking albino has stirred in his memories.

"Ughn... What I mean is, it's as I've said since I arrived." He shifts his weight so that he is addressing primarily Sharvati, studiously avoiding further glances in the half-giant's direction. "We were passing the outskirts of the Border Wood, some six miles south of here. There were over a dozen of us - ten other fighting men like myself. None of the rest made it..." He closes his eyes a moment as a rictus of pain and/or rage ripples through him. "We thought they were just bandits at first, outlaws who hide like stinking wolves in the forest. They were no match for us! But then came the cold fey of the North..." The man's voice drops to a near-whisper, and his eyes take on a vacant, faraway character as he continues, "They appeared among us, of a sudden, and the battle turned quickly - there was naught we could do to stop them! My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to see them this far south... That blasted snowstorm must have been their work, I'm sure of it!"

Grinding his teeth, the mercenary continues."The Lady Argentea was alive, last I saw, but she was being carried off deeper into the Wood and I couldn't follow - it was all I could do to make it out alive..." His eyes regain their focus on their present surroundings, and Yuln studies the three before him with renewed scrutiny. "Unlike the last pair that were asking, you all look young and capable enough to actually do something about it. Do you mean to go and rescue the Lady yourselves?"

Erik considers the man whilst grabbing for another cigarette. Seeing a look from Tessaraea though stops him short. He places it back in his headband before continuing to listen.

"Young and capable. Oh, if only you were a pretty lady. I'd take you out for a drink."

"eleven fighting men and only one makes it out alive. You seem to recognize my friend's unique ancestry. You get attacked by anything as big as him? Or bigger? Was it fey magic or just numbers. Cause right now...going after that lady sounds like crossing the line into suicidal territory."

[Farmerbink]

Mick frowns deeply at the man's description of the scene. Slowly, his lips peel back to bare his teeth in a feral snarl. His hands ball and tighten into fists- forcing away what little pigment usually darkens his knuckles. The snow-white hands clench and unclench as Yuln relates his experience.

"How many you kill, Man Yuln? Why they fight you? Witches never fight for no reason." He scowls at the man for a moment, before turning his glare to the floor. "Erik says 'no look at people when ups-... when... ups... -when mad' Mick sorry. Witches bad- need hurting"

If looks could kill, there would be two more holes burning through the foundation boards beneath the big man.

[MuffinMan]

Yuln shakes his head in the negative at Erik's question, an instinctive motion that causes him to flinch in pain from his injuries. "No, none so big as your friend here - the opposite! These winter fey... vile creatures who have sworn themselves to the White Witches of Irrisen, those who stole our lands from us during the Winter War. Tiny sprites, they are, no taller than the length of a man's forearm. But don’t be fooled by their small stature! Legends say they have taken a sliver of ice into their hearts, and their touch bears the harsh bite of winter." He grimaces and point to his frostbitten extremities in demonstration. "The fey, and the bandits, that was all. Perhaps a score in total, perhaps less... counting was not my first priority in the chaos." Tessarea hums in something like sympathy or commiseration as she enters the room bearing a fresh load of bandages and sets to changing the man's dressings.


"How many you kill, Man Yuln? Why they fight you? Witches never fight for no reason." He scowls at the man for a moment, before turning his glare to the floor. "Erik says 'no look at people when ups-... when... ups... -when mad' Mick sorry. Witches bad- need hurting"

The Ulfen man turns his attention squarely to Mick for the first time and his jaw sets stubbornly. "I personally sent the first bandit that came against us to the afterlife, and I'm sure our company at least wounded several of his friends, too. Those hell-spawned sprites, though, they're tougher than they look! To hurt them properly requires burning flame, that or blade forged fully of cold iron, like mine-" He gestures towards a worn longsword standing propped in the corner of the room, prompting a hiss and a stern "Hold still!" from Tessarea. Yuln glowers at her, but continues, "Both burn them, and both are weapons they fear."

"As for why they attacked us, it seems clear they were after the Lady Argentea. For what purpose, I don't know. But if one of the White Witches took her, no good shall come of it. The winter-touched do nothing without the leave of those who placed the ice in their hearts. If they’re here, it’s because a White Witch sent them. And much worse will follow." He lets the unspoken threat hang ominously in the room, and for a moment the only sound is the quite rustle of Tessarea's movements unwrapping another bandage.

[Untarr]

"gggggggggwaaak Tooh" Erik growls up a wad of snot before spitting it into a rag.

"Sounds like we need to get a move on. And that we'll need some of those winter coats Vivialla has hanging up in her general store."


[roll0] to Identify any fey that he may be describing

[MuffinMan]

The fey Yuln describe sound unmistakably like sprites (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary3/sprite.html#sprite), diminutive winged creatures that, while physically weak, are also agile and dextrous. Sprites' bodies are luminious, giving off light like a torch, although they control the amount and color of the illumination at will. Sprites tend to be uninterested in the affairs of larger beings, forming primitive tribes deep in the woodlands and protecting their turf with determination and savagery. Like most fey, their skin is resistant to ordinary blades, although weapons specially forged of cold iron can penetrate their defenses easily.

The aggression, cold-alignment, and sensitivity to fire that Yuln describes are unfamiliar, though - something is different about these sprites...

Feel free to read the Bestiary entry if you want - just don't metagame too much on info the PCs wouldn't know!
"Would that I could go with you!" Yuln sighs, grimacing in frustration. "My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing, but I faced foes such as few in the Linnorm Kingdoms have ever seen. Go in my stead, and save the Lady. Take my blade, if it would aid your cause." He nods towards the cold iron longsword still propped in the corner.

"Oh, do be careful, Erik! It sounds dangerous, and there's noone to rescue you if you're captured!" Tessarea sighs worriedly as she softly closes the door on Yuln's wounded form, now nodding off thanks to the sleeping draught secreted in his last bowl of stew. "Mick, you'll keep him out of trouble, won't you?" She smiles gently up at the half-giant. "And you, Miss... Sharvati, gods bless you for your assistance! Erik's a good man, though he doesn't let on sometimes - I know that together you will succeed!"


It takes no time at all to reach the general store, being located just across the street and two doors down from the apothecary. Vivialla Steranus looks up from a massive leather-bound ledger as the group arrives, and sets aside the quill pen she's just been using to tally the previous day's transactions. She blows gently on the ink to dry it before rising to greet the party, and as she adjust the spectacles on her face she inadvertently leaves a faint ink smudge along the side of her nose. "Erik. Mick! Been a while - good heavens, I think you've gotten taller! And... whoever you are," she nods at Sharvati, "how can I help you today?"

[JWallyR]

Nodding briefly, Sharvati addresses the mistress of the general store: "Good morning, ma'am. My name is Sharvati, and... my new friends and myself are in need of supplies. We've been asked to investigate the disappearance of the Lady Argentea, and given the unseasonable weather and some of what we've heard from the survivor... we just want to make sure we are well prepared. Of particular interest would be any weapons forged of cold iron that you may have..." The half-orc woman looks at the shopkeeper expectantly.

[Farmerbink]

Mick nods curtly at Yuln's description. He retrieves the man's blade from the corner, and tests its heft briefly. Unable to properly make himself comfortable with the sword, he looks to his companions. Shrugging, he holds on to the blade. "Could help. We tell you what we find."

Mick lowers his head down as he enters Vivialla's shop, and nods to the woman. He stands by while Sharvati and Erik make their needs known.

[Untarr]

"And some jackets. The Gods know these ol' bones don't do well in cold weather."

[MuffinMan]

"... we just want to make sure we are well prepared. Of particular interest would be any weapons forged of cold iron that you may have..." The half-orc woman looks at the shopkeeper expectantly.

"Weapons??" Vivialla blinks owlishly from behind her spectacles. "Good heavens, I'm afraid we don't have anything like that here. Mmmm-" She wrings her hands in a nervous gesture before continuing, "You might try Isker's smithy, next door - he can sort you out with all of that... violent business!"


"And some jackets. The Gods know these ol' bones don't do well in cold weather."

"Cold wea-! Oh! Why didn't you say so! Yes, jackets! As a matter of fact, I have a few left over from last season in here somewhere..." Viviallia's voice becomes muffled as she disappears into a back storage room of the store, emerging with arms full of various fur coats, hats, gloves, and leg coverings. "I thought these were going to be food for the moths - not much demand for winter garb in the middle of sum- Oh!"


"We've been asked to investigate the disappearance of the Lady Argentea-

"Did you say you were going out to rescue the Lady??? Oh, the poor thing! Here, here! Try these on - no charge for you brave heroes! Only, promise me you'll come back and tell me all about it when you return with her safe and sound - I want to hear about every step, every twist, every battle! Oh, my... Now, here, Mick - try this on for size..." It takes some mixing and matching, and a hasty alteration of the largest jacket to fit Mick (which now wears like a snug vest), but within half an hour the group is outfitted with well-enough fitting winter gear, which begins proving its worth immediately by making them uncomfortably warm in the bright morning sun of Heldren.

Now's the time to make any last-minute inventory adjustments - once we leave Heldren we'll go by what's on your character sheets. Also, if you want to visit any other locations in Heldren before leaving just post to that effect and we'll do it, but I'm also going to continue with the first description of the journey to the Border Wood.


The location of the attack Yuln described is some six miles south of Heldren, along the road to Demgazi and Zimar at its nearest point to the Border Wood. The party makes good time on the road - Eric and Mick have each traveled on or near to it many times. A curious thing happens as they near the Woods, though - instead of the temperature rising along with the sun in the sky, the air gets noticeably colder with each passing mile! What started as a warm summer morning becomes cool and brisk by mile two, and the would-be rescuers can see their breaths before them by the fifth mile, the strong overhead sun being obscured by conspicuously dark clouds that lay heavy with the threat of rain - or snow. The road, lightly traveled at the busiest of times, lies empty and silent except for the footsteps of the trio as they draw nearer their goal...

[Farmerbink]

Mick stands uncomfortably still as Vivialla deftly adjusts the strips and buckles around his torso. As he quickly starts to sweat, a scowl mars his bushy blonde eyebrows. "too hot.." he mutters, only to be chagrined by the reminder that the promise of cold weather awaits then.

"Too hot to stand around," he grumbles. "Let's go." Without stopping to thank the proprietor for her generosity, he retrieves the cold-iron longsword from the table where it lay, and plods out into the sunlight.



As the temperature drops, Mick's scowl deepens. Despite the obvious comfort that the cooler temperature brings, he cannot ignore the obvious implication. "Keep watching," he growls, distrustful of the very woods around them.

[Untarr]

"Lets drop by the smithy and see if he doesn't have some cold iron. I can whip up some bolts for myself in a few hours time. I hate to delay, but it could mean the difference between success and failure."

*********************

Upon entering the smithy, Erik waves over Isker from his anvil. "I need that cold iron ingot you have. Going up against some fey, and I don't like our chances without it. Gotta place I could work as well?"

Purchasing the ingot, Erik sets to work in the smithy making bolts for a few hours. After completing twenty of them, he curiously groups them in four stacks of five before tying them together with a light twine. He replaces a few such stacks on his bandoleer with the new cold iron bolts.



[roll0] Rolling to make dem bolts

Leaving the smithy, he finds the rest of the party. "Think I'm ready to go now. Let's go teach these fairies a lesson..."

[Farmerbink]

Mick grunts in response, but follows Erik into the smithy, regardless. As soon as Erik explains his intentions, Mick sets in to work at the forge. While not the most capable assistant, the big man moves heavy loads and pumps the bellows as quickly as a pair of smaller hands.

[roll0] Craft weapons, to assist Erik's work.

Pleased with his rudimentary work, Mick's sour mood begins to improve. There's nothing like productivity to ease the stressful mind. After a few hours, Erik signals him to stop, and the big man surveys the results of their efforts. "Good job. These work good."

[MuffinMan]

Upon entering the smithy, Erik waves over Isker from his anvil. "I need that cold iron ingot you have. Going up against some fey, and I don't like our chances without it. Gotta place I could work as well?"


Mick grunts in response, but follows Erik into the smithy, regardless. As soon as Erik explains his intentions, Mick sets in to work at the forge. While not the most capable assistant, the big man moves heavy loads and pumps the bellows as quickly as a pair of smaller hands.

Isker’s eyebrows raise at the unusual request, but he sets down his hammer and tongs and, after wiping his hands in a nearby basin of water, he goes into a back room and reemerges with a dull grey ingot, about the size of a large brick. "Well, here she is: all I’ve got at the moment. Need to send off to Zimar for more - make a note of that, dear?" At the simple counter that serves as the register, bookshelf, and occasional repair workspace for the store, Isker’s daughter Xanthippe dutifully writes on a scrap of parchment before leaning forward to study the group curiously. "Fighting fey creatures in the woods? Sounds dangerous; hope you make it back alive!"

"None of that now, girl - I’m sure Erik and his friends can take care of themselves. Speaking of capabilities, you know what you’re doing with the tools, right? Standard rates for the material and use of the store - how long d’ya need, you figure?" As Erik explains his needs and the money changes hands, Isker takes off his apron and heads back to his house behind the shop, asking Xanthippe to keep an eye on the place while the trio works.



As the temperature drops, Mick's scowl deepens. Despite the obvious comfort that the cooler temperature brings, he cannot ignore the obvious implication. "Keep watching," he growls, distrustful of the very woods around them.

The party reaches the edge of the Border Wood in the late afternoon, as the sun is beginning to sink and shadows of the trees are lengthening. Yuln’s instructions lead them the final half-mile along the road’s nearest approach to the Wood, and over ground covered with several inches of freshly fallen snow!!! The forest is unusually still to Mick’s experienced ears - the crunch of snow under the party’s boots and the quiet hush of their breaths misting before them are the only noises to disturb the tranquility.

The site of the ambush is unmistakable when the party reaches it; it resembles something out of a nightmare. The road ahead is littered with debris and the corpses of slain humans and horses. A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the forest.

Here is a map of the area, with labels removed to prevent spoilers. Heldren is the town in the NE corner. You have been following the road south and are now at the point where the red dotted line (trail) departs into the woods.

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-30%20at%205.40.46%20PM_zpso0q1zrds.png
The journey south took 3 hours, so it is now roughly 5pm. There is a map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) for this area.

[Farmerbink]

As soon as he passes the southern border of Heldren, Mick lets out a shrill whistle. For several minutes they walk, with no apparent response before he whistles again. A few moments later, a small (for a mammoth) cub lumbers out of a nearby copse of trees. For the second time in relatively short order, the big man smiles. This time, his lips stay firmly closed. When the mammoth cub greets him with its trunk and nuzzles the big man briefly, he grunts a few times in a comforting tone.

Mick growls as he surveys the site. "No trust this. Looks fishy..." He scans the scene thoroughly, slowly pacing towards the statue and the fallen men.
the map confuses me a bit. Is the dotted red line a road, also?

[roll0]perception
[roll1] stealth

Edit: sweet.

[Untarr]

"I don't like that they did not conceal their tracks. Like they knew someone would be coming after them..."

Erik begins to look around and pick through the bodies, apparently unmoved by the corpses.

"Nobody deserves this." he says checking over one of the corpses.


Take 20 on perception to search the site for a 24.


Heal check to figure out how they were killed

roll]1d20+9 22 Knowledge Nature to figure out anything more about the fey that attacked them based on the aftermath.

[MuffinMan]

As the party begins to sift through the wreckage, more details of the attack become apparent: the corpses were slain by a combination of tiny needles, shards of ice, and mundane blades. Erik recognizes that the needles are the proper size to have been fired from sprite-sized bows. The bodies of the carriage guards are unmistakable for their uniforms, but all have been stripped of armor and weapons.

At the overturned carriage, the party finds the slain bodies of two women - evidently late handmaidens of the Lady Argentea. The ground outside the carriage is strewn with broken chests and boxes, some of which contain the handmaidens' spare clothing. (3 courtier's outfits)

The upright carriage is clearly the more expensive of the two: its decorative chasings bear the marks of Taldan heraldry, although it has sustained heavy damage from the many arrows fired during the battle. A spear has been wedged between the handles of the carriage doors to hold them closed. Inspecting the carriage, the party can hear the muffled sounds of movement from inside, although the shutters are drawn and it is impossible to see the source of the sounds...

(Copy-paste this into a separate post, please!)

As the carriage door is freed, it suddenly bursts open as two rotting corpses stagger out and attack!

Begin combat!

These are zombies (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary/zombie.html#zombie): slow but powerful, and with a thick hide best penetrated by slashing attacks.
Roll initiative and give your round 1 actions. No one is surprised. The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) will be updated soon - whoever opened the door is in J-6 and the others are within 15' of that square. The enemies are in J-7 and J-8.

On closer inspection, the "ice statue" to the south is actually the frozen remains of the Taldan captain in charge of Lady Argentea's escort, his slain body entirely encased in ice! Pieces of the captain have been chipped off of the gruesome "statue" and now lie slowly melting at its feet. One such piece is the captain's arm, still grasping his masterwork longsword. Beneath the ice, the captain still wears a breastplate emblazoned with Taldan heraldry.

At the edge of the massacre site, an obvious trail leads between a copse of trees and over a snowy plain toward the Border Wood. Formed by both men and horses, the trail is easy to follow through the heavy snow and into the woods.

I want loot management to be as painless as possible and not require a ton of anyone's time. I've updated the loot spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) with what you've found so far. Whenever you reach a town you can sell everything for 50% market value, no questions asked, and Diplomacy or clever RP may get you a better deal. (You won't have the items with you all the time unless you explicitly call it out/make a note on your character sheet - the idea is that you can stash it and reclaim it when you're headed back to town.)

There's also a page in that sheet for "Player Wealth". This is to make sure no one gets too far behind, wealth-wise, and also to help me make sure your overall wealth is appropriate for the encounters you'll face. Help me out by noting anything of significant value that you claim on that page.

[JWallyR]

"Did you say you were going out to rescue the Lady??? Oh, the poor thing! Here, here! Try these on - no charge for you brave heroes! Only, promise me you'll come back and tell me all about it when you return with her safe and sound - I want to hear about every step, every twist, every battle! Oh, my... Now, here, Mick - try this on for size..."

Sharvati smiles gratefully at the shopkeeper, mustering some semblance of bravery into her expression and voice as Mick begins his abrupt exit. "Many thanks for your generosity, ma'am. We hope to be back very soon to repay this debt." As she pulls the coat around her, a look of dismay seems to flit across her face, quickly replaced with a well-feigned expression of determination as she follows her tall companion out of the shop.

**********************

After noting the mammoth cub's reunion with its master with a muted combination of amusement and appreciation, the half-orc woman walks along, noting with obvious displeasure the dropping temperatures. Clutching her winter cloak tightly around her, she follows along, clearly having to make some modest effort to match the pace being set by her companions. As she follows her companions across the crest of the hill hiding the grisly scene from her view, her face pales as the twisted forms of men and beasts come into view. She follows Erik woodenly, finally turning away from the sight of the slain women to fall to her knees, retching in disgust. After several moments spent recovering her composure she retrieves an empty waterskin from her pack, speaking a few words over it before it bulges, suddenly full of clean, fresh water. After taking several short sips from the skin she returns it to her pack before looking for her companions, her face a mask of grim determination.

[Untarr]

Erik reaches for the spear before stopping himself. "Mick, get over here and open this." Erik steps back, opens up the canvas bag over his shoulder and reveals crossbow of unusual construction.

The stock is taller than usual, and there are a series of gears that run along it, protected by various ornate metal coverings. The wood stock itself is a dark mahogany with the name "Melissa" inlaid with gold script along the side. Peeling off a set of bolts from one of his bandoleers, Erik pushes them into the crossbow from the bottom before pulling a lever on the back. With a satisfying click, you see a bolt appear at the top of the crossbow, ready to fire.

"Alright, open her up."

Mick, seeing Erik's preparation, gets ready himself before opening the carriage.

As the carriage door is freed, it suddenly bursts open as two rotting corpses stagger out and attack!

Begin combat!

These are zombies (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary/zombie.html#zombie): slow but powerful, and with a thick hide best penetrated by slashing attacks.
Roll initiative and give your round 1 actions. No one is surprised. The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) will be updated soon - whoever opened the door is in J-6 and the others are within 15' of that square. The enemies are in J-7 and J-8.


Initiative [roll0]

Attack
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Farmerbink]

Mick grunts in wordless acknowledgement of Erik's request. He steps forward, eyeing Erik askance. As the smaller man draws and loads his special crossbow, the bigger rejects the longspear in close quarters for a hand axe and a buckler. Content in his preparation, Mick yanks the spear free with his bucklered hand.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 4/4
Stomp: 1/1

The knocking materializes into a pair of corpses, and Mick sneers at the sight. Wielding his axe with an almost feral focus, he slashes out at the first corpse to stagger clear of the carriage, a wordless cry issuing forth from his lips.
5-foot step, and ready action- if necessary to avoid cover issues. Attack:
[roll0] hand axe
[roll1] CC (25, x3)
[roll2] damage
[roll3] crit bonus

[MuffinMan]

Mick 22
Zombies 12
Sharvati 9
Erik 6
Round 1 Recap

As the first shambling corpse emerges, Mick reacts quickly with a backslash from his handaxe, scoring a glancing blow. The first creature retaliates with a swipe of its claw, but Mick is able to deflect it with his buckler in the nick of time while the second moves forward into striking range. Sharvati moves up to assist Mick, drawing shield and morningstar. She manages to strike the first creature, but the blow fails to penetrate its thick hide. From a few paces back, Erik takes aim and fires with Melissa: the shot is true and the bolt buries itself where the first creature's heart used to be - to his horror, though, the walking corpse doesn't react and the bolt doesn't seem to have had any effect at all!

(Zombies' and Sharvati's attacks rolled offscreen)
Mick attacks Z1 and hits for 5 damage.
Z1 attacks Mick: 16 vs AC 17 - miss.
Z2 moves to K7 (can't attack yet due to staggered condition).
Sharvati (botted) moves to K6 and attacks Z1: 13 hits, but 4 damage doesn't penetrate DR.
Erik shoots Z1: 23 hits (even with cover), but 4 damage doesn't penetrate DR.
Begin Round 2!

The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Cam did not act in round 1, but he's been added to the map.

[JWallyR]

Round 1/2

As Erik and Mick notice and are drawn to the noises emanating from the carriage, Sharvati steps forward, drawing her morningstar and approaching the carriage. As the creatures within burst forth, she flinches away, robbing her first swing of much of its force. Blinking away her expression of surprised dismay, Sharvati steels herself for another attack!

Attack!

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 13/13, Speed
AC 15, Touch 10, Flat-footed 15, CMD 12, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 2 (1d8+2, x2)
Sling 1 (1d4+2, x2)
Studded Leather, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+3 Armor, +2 Shield)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Untarr]

Seeing the ineffectiveness of his attack, Erik scowls.

"Bah. Suck on this then."

Reaching behind him to a satchel, Erik pulls out a small sphere with a piece of string hanging off the side. Leaning over, he lights the string on fire with his cigarette. A sizzling sound eminates as the string violently reacts.

"Fire in the hole!" he shouts before launching the sphere into the wagon.


Move to (I,5)

Attack Z2 with Bomb
[roll0] vs touch
[roll1] Fire DMG
6 Splash DMG

I think I am correct that there is a carriage wall between Z2 and Sharvati, if that is wrong, target the junction between the two zombies with the same attack so that they both take splash damage only.

After a few moments, an explosion rips through the cart as fire spews out the door.

[MuffinMan]

Mick & Cam 22
Zombies 12
Sharvati 9
Erik 6
Round 2 recap

Mick aims another blow at the first creature, but his ability to swing is hampered by the arrival of Sharvati and the second creature and his strike fails to connect. He whistles to Cam, who rushes to his master's aid and attempts to gore one of the creatures. The frame of the carriage prevents the young mammoth from connecting, however. Both corpses claw at Mick, the first hitting with a gruesome blow againt Mick's exposed neck (10 damage). Erik preps and tosses a bomb into the carriage where it explodes, engulfing both creatures in burning flames and sending the disturbing smell of charred meat into the air (6 damage to each). Finally, Sharvati lands another blow against the enemy that clawed Mick, but once again it doesn't react or give any indication that it felt the impact!

Mick (botted) attacks Z1: 9 - miss
Cam moves from N4 to I6 and "gore" attacks Z1: 7 - miss
Z1 attacks Mick: atk (1d20+4)18, cc (1d20+4)13, dmg (1d6+4)10 - hit for 10
Z2 attacks Mick: atk (1d20+4)15, cc (1d20+4)12, dmg (1d6+4)8 - miss
Erik bombs the intersection, splashing Z1 and Z2 for 6 fire damage each
Sharvati attacks Z1: 13 hits, but 5 dmg doesn't penetrate DR

Begin round 3!

I'm assuming Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930) has the requisite 2 attack tricks to attack undead. The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated, and you can tell that Z1 is badly wounded.

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1
MF weapon focus: hand axe (10 rounds remaining)

Mick grunts as the creature makes contact with its attack. He narrows his eyes in focus, before striking back with a wordless cry.
Move action to use martial flexibility for weapon focus: hand axe, standard to attack, 5-foot step to K/5.
[roll0] hand axe
[roll1] CC (26, x3)
[roll2] damage
[roll3] crit bonus

Cam will attack:
[roll4] gore (not counting flanking w/ Sharvati)
[roll5] CC (23, x2)
[roll6] damage
[roll7] crit bonus

[MuffinMan]

Round 3:
Mick & Cam 22
Zombies 12
Sharvati 9 <--- We are here
Erik 6

Round 3.5 recap

The pain lends focus to Mick's attacks, and with a mighty blow he strikes the head off the first shambling creature, sending it tumbling to the ground in a lifeless heap. Cam steps up to take his master's place and he, too, strikes solidly - the young mammoth's tusk penetrates through the second creature's torso and he proceeds to batter it around the inside of the carriage! It tries to retaliate with a claw swipe, but Cam's thick fur deflects the blow easily.

Mick hits and kills Z1, then steps to K-5.
Cam move to J-6 and hits Z2 for 10-5=5 damage.
Z2 attacks Cam: 10 vs AC > 10 - miss.
The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated, and you can tell that Z2 is badly wounded. All the PCs will now have an action (finishing round 3 and starting round 4), and then Z2 will act for round 4 if it's still alive.

[Untarr]

"Almost. Keep it up and get this bastard down!" He says pulling his crossbow back to firing position before firing it again.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[JWallyR]

Gasping in shock at the ferocity of the creature's attack on Mick, Sharvati looks at her morningstar in frustration before backpedaling and releasing it to reach into her pack, retrieving the wand of healing magic and applying its energies to the large man.

5ft step to k5, free action drop weapon, retrieve wand, make healz: [roll0]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 13/13, Speed
AC 15, Touch 10, Flat-footed 15, CMD 12, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 2 (1d8+2, x2)
Sling 1 (1d4+2, x2)
Studded Leather, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+3 Armor, +2 Shield)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1
MF weapon focus: hand axe (10 rounds remaining)


"Cam! Come!" Mick barks a quick order to his mammoth, before addressing Sharvati. "Give it room. I handle it," obviously referring to the zombie. He stands in wait outside the carriage, for the abomination to come to him.
First: handle animal vs DC 10: 18 rolled in OOC to get Cam to retreat. I believe this is a free action, as a "druid" (archetype says that brawler levels count as druid levels for AC-related schtufs). Acting under that assumption:
Cam will move to I/5, and if possible I will direct him to attack as another free action, WHEN: the zombie moves up.

Mick's for sure attack:
[roll0] hand axe
[roll1] CC (26, x3)
[roll2] damage
[roll3] crit bonus

Cam's possible attack:
[roll4] gore (not counting flanking w/ Sharvati)
[roll5] CC (23, x2)
[roll6] damage
[roll7] crit bonus

Edit: Herp derp.

[MuffinMan]

Round 4:
Mick & Cam 22
Zombies 12
Sharvati 9 <--- We are here
Erik 6
Round 4.5 recap

While the remaining zombie extricates itself from Cam's tusk, Sharavati steps back and administers a powerful burst of energy from Elder Safander's healing wand directed at Mick, and the large man feels his wounds instantly knit together. Erik fires again with Melissa, but obstruction from the others causes his shot to veer wide, and his bolt *thuds* dully into the side of the carriage. Mick calls Cam back and the duo prepare to ambush the foe when it emerges. The remaining zombie, though barely hanging together, somehow possesses enough unnatural energy to stagger from the carriage and attack! Mick and Cam's blows fail to phase it, but its claws find an exposed patch above Cam's shoulder and the young mammoth bellows in pain as its flesh is rent (9 damage).

Sharvati steps to K5 and heals Mick for 9
Eric attacks with 15, but misses due to soft cover
Cam moves I5, Cam and Mick prepare attacks
Both attacks (7) miss the zombie when it emerges
Z2 moves to J6 and attacks Cam: 23 vs AC 16 - hit for 9 damage (charge action, so Z2 has -2 AC this round)
The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Z2 is almost down - you can do it!

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1
MF weapon focus: hand axe (8 rounds remaining)


Angered by his own inefficacy and the zombie's blow, Mick lashes out again at the zombie, as Cam does the same, instinctively.


Mick:
[roll0] hand axe
[roll1] CC (26, x3)
[roll2] damage
[roll3] crit bonus

Cam's possible attack:
[roll4] gore (not counting flanking w/ Sharvati)
[roll5] CC (23, x2)
[roll6] damage
[roll7] crit bonus

[JWallyR]

Wincing sympathetically at the mammoth cub's pain, Sharvati fixes an angry glare on the remaining zombie, dropping the wand of healing magic to retrieve her morningstar and swing it at the creature!

Free: Drop wand
Move: Pick up weapon
No other actual movement, so 5ft step south to K6 in preparation for any sort of flanking shenanigans
Standard: Attack!

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO, as applicable:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 13/13, Speed
AC 15, Touch 10, Flat-footed 15, CMD 12, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 2 (1d8+2, x2)
Sling 1 (1d4+2, x2)
Studded Leather, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+3 Armor, +2 Shield)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[MuffinMan]

Sharvati's blow strikes true, and with a loud *snap* the animated corpse collapses to the ground and lies still, again. The silence is once again broken only by the breathing of the party, strangely loud against the backdrop of gently-falling snow.

End of Combat!

The snow has dampened the inside of the carriage, so the party is able to put out the flames from Erik's incendiary bomb without difficulty. Once the smoke clears, Sharvati finds a small jewelry box hidden beneath the seat of the carriage - evidently missed by the bandits as they looted everything else.

Lady Argentea’s signet ring is still inside, as are a pair of earrings worth 25 gp, a set of pearl-inlaid bracelets worth 90 gp, assorted gold and silver necklaces worth a total of 75 gp, and one sapphire pendant worth 50 gp.
The loot (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) sheet is updated. Indicate when you're ready to continue, and we'll begin following the bandits!

[Farmerbink]

Mick places his hands over Cam's shoulders, to inspect the wound there. He reaches to the ground and scoops up several handfuls of fresh snow. He spreads them over the injury, and then uses his hands to apply pressure to stymie the bleeding. Holding the cub protectively, he looks pointedly at Sharvati. "Miss... how you fix Mick neck hurt? You do same for Cam?"

Unable to address the injury directly, Mick waits for his ally's attention to press onward- in no eager hurry to experience the force of those blows for a second time.

[JWallyR]

Breathing heavily from the exertion of the fight, Sharvati nods at Mick. After recovering her composure and returning her morningstar to its loop, the half-orc gestures with the wand before gently touching the mammoth cub's body near the site of the wound.

CLW until John indicates satisfaction or AC is topped off:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]


As the wounds seem to close themselves, Sharvati smiles at the creature, patting its head and neck gently. "That should fix him up. It's a shame we weren't in time for any of the slain here... particularly the unfortunate folk twisted into those unliving monsters." She looks on the stilled forms of their momentary opponents with deep sadness. "We should probably check the carriage, but let's not waste more time than we must. The Lady's life may depend on our speed."

[Farmerbink]

Mick watches with amazement, where he was unable to see before. As the torn flesh of Cam's shoulder knits back into place, the Half-Giant's eyes widen in almost comical wonder. For several seconds, he stares, slack-jawed before managing to crudely connect a few words. "You are great blessing. This is powerful magic. That is how you fix Mick neck hurt?!"

Unable to contain himself, Mick clasps the woman in a great hug. With childlike exuberance, Cam shakes his trunk and hops side to side- enjoying the relief he feels. As Sharvati's comment draws Mick back to the task at hand, his joy quells prematurely. "Yes. You right. We move on, quickly." Shrugging his coat tighter around his neck, Mick exchanges the hand-axe for his long spear and heads towards the trail.

It seems we're pushing onward, as MM already lined out the loot. Unless there's more loot, we can always delay for more loot! :smallcool:

[roll0] stealth
[roll1] perception

[JWallyR]

Sharvati almost flinches away from the man's big hug, but after a moment her expression of surprise fades into a melancholy smile, and her hands pat awkwardly about Mick's waist from their constrained position at her hips. As she is released from his strong (but gentle) embrace, she opens her mouth as though to say something before appearing to think better of it, and hoists her gear to begin the next portion of their journey. "Shall we?"

[MuffinMan]

Injuries mended, the party sets off on the obvious trail left by the bandits, leading towards the Border Woods proper. The air grows steadily colder, with Erik judging the temperature to be somewhere in the 40s and Mick judging it to be "Cold. Bad cold." With the exertion of combat behind them, the pair begins to be very grateful for the warmer clothes from Vivialla's general store. Sharvati, oddly, seems to be less effected by the plummeting temperature than the others. If anything she feels an strange... resonance in the air, which seems to grow stronger even as the air grows colder...

As it enters the full expanse of the Border Wood, the trail passes through a small clearing among the taller trees before continuing uphill and out of sight. A large chest lies half-buried in the snow, apparently dropped or discarded by those who hastily passed this way.

This location is ~30 minutes from the site of the attack, so it is roughly 5:30pm.

[JWallyR]

As she trudges along through the trail, Sharvati doesn't realize that she has begun almost to keep pace with her companions until they stumble upon the clearing, and the discarded chest near the middle. Momentarily oblivious the biting cold, the half-orc steps up to inspect it curiously. "Why would they bring it this far, only to leave it behind?" she mumbles to herself as she approaches.

Perception to notice traps: [roll0]
If possible (or there are no traps hidden around the chest, merely inside it), take 20 for 25

[MuffinMan]

As she draws closer, Sharvati notices that the snow around the chest has been disturbed and re-packed differently than the surrounding ground. Inspecting the area carefully, she finds a rope concealed in the the snow, one end attached to the chest! Following the length of the rope in the other direction, it passes off the trail and through the undergrowth before rising into the trees. There, suspended in the treetops, is a wickedly spiked log obviously left intentionally. Sharvati deduces that opening the chest or disturbing the rope would causing the log to swing down and across the trail, battering anyone standing near the chest.

Make a Disable Device check if you would like to attempt to disarm the trap!

[Farmerbink]

Mick nods at Sharvati's question. He follows her steps and nods when she points out the trap. "Would not. These bad people."

Scowling, he looks for a way to bring the log down without risking damage to any of his allies.

Perfectly content to climb the tree and hack the rope preemptively, if it'll work.

[Untarr]

Erik inspects the contraption and agrees with Sharvati's assessment. He begins to look around when he notices Mick beginning to climb the nearby tree.

"Mick, just what in the hell are ya doin? Find yerself a long stick and just use it to set off the trap." Erik himself begins to look around for a suitable limb for his plan.

Find a stick which grants reach, disturb the rope from an angle not to be hit by the log.

[Farmerbink]

Mick looks up from the base of the trunk he was about to be climbing. With an expression of confusion or distrust, he looks back to the path where the rope will lead the log. After a few moments of frowning inspection, realization dawns, and the big man quickly vacates the path- where he had unintentionally been standing. With his longspear and huge arms, he reaches up to disturb the rope as Erik points guidance.

A satisfied expression settles on his face as the log comes crashing through the branches into the area near the chest harmlessly. "Erik smart, he rumbles in appreciation. "Now open box?"

[MuffinMan]

Between Mick's giant longspear and Erik's guidance, the spiked log trap is triggered harmlessly. swinging three times past the now-cleared trail before coming to a rest alongside the path.

The way now clear, Sharvati steps over to examine the chest, only to find it completely empty! But, she notices that the earth around the chest has been disturbed recently, so that the chest is currently sunk some 8 inches into the ground. At her suggestion, Mick and Erik help dig up the chest, and below it they find the bandits' spoils: those majority of the weapons and armor stripped from Lady Argentea's guards are in a shallow pit below!
5 sets of leather armor
3 sets of studded leather armor
1 masterwork chain shirt
2 light wooden shields
7 longswords
2 spears
1 masterwork dagger
3 light crossbows
25 crossbow bolts
The loot sheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[JWallyR]

As the efforts of her companions begin to reveal the guards' weapons and armor, Sharvati's puzzled expression deepens. "Stranger and stranger... An empty chest as lure for a trap, but weapons and armor buried beneath? Were there none but pixies among the brigands that wouldn't keep these to use or fence? Even this blade, which looks to be of some quality." The half-orc stoops to retrieve the masterwork dagger. Slashing it once or twice through the air, she looks at it appraisingly. "Might come in handy, should we run into any more of those horrors from earlier. Didn't seem much to mind my morningstar."

Sharvati is obviously interested in the masterwork dagger, should neither of the others object. She'll also take one of the crossbows and a few bolts just in case, assuming Erik is happy with his; Might go ahead and grab the chain shirt if neither of the others do.

[Untarr]

"Blasted Fairies. Seems like their kind of humor." Erik dips down and begins to rummage through the leftover equipment.

"I've always wanted one of these." He says as he holds up the chain shirt "And it looks like it would be just the right fit." Taking off his jacket, he removes his leather armor and dons the chain shirt. "Wow...much better."

"If anyone needs the bolts and crossbows, take them, I'll gather whats left for myself."

Obviously I would like to take the chain shirt. Any bolts that others don't grab, he will take.

[Farmerbink]

Mick hoists the empty chest to the side with ease, revealing the cache beneath.

"Were there none but pixies among the brigands that wouldn't keep these to use or fence? Even this blade, which looks to be of some quality."The big mane shakes his head to the negative. "Probably all dead. Fairies no care for money. Witches no care for armor. Bad cold."

He looks through the findings, shaking his head repeatedly. "People so small. No want for Mick." Turning to face the where they're going. Shrugging into his tight fur coat, he begins pacing slowly down the path.

[MuffinMan]

The trail left by the bandits continues on from the trapped chest, leading ever deeper into the forest. It continues through a windswept gully, which carves a path between two tree-covered ridges. The snow in the gully is deeper than elsewhere along the trail, rising above Erik and Sharvati's knees. Mick and Cam take the lead, forging a path through the heavy snowdrifts that the others can follow. As the party nears the center of the gully, a soft cascade of snow falls from an overhead branch, hissing softly as it strikes the ground.

Surprise Round

The hiss of snow is follow by a load screech!!!, and the group whirls around to see a large white shape diving out of the tree and come crashing to the group. As it rises on four legs, you can see it is about 7 feet long, weighs about as much as a pony, and is covered in white scales that glisten in the pale sunlight. It propels itself forward with the aid of a powerful tail as it bares a mouthful of cruel-looking teeth, closing the distance to Erik with frightful speed!

This creature is a tatzlwyrm (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary3/tatzlwyrm.html#tatzlwyrm), a primeval relative of true dragons. These creatures posses powerful jaws that they use to grasp and control their foes while raking them with their front claws. In addition, their breath contains a poisonous vapor that can sap their prey's strength if exposed to it. They possess a rudimentary intelligence and some has been observed to understand Draconic, although this one doesn't look interested in talking!
Roll initiative and give your round 1 actions! The enemy got a surprise round (party Perceptions rolled offscreen) and used it to move to M-9. The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Once initiatives are determined, we'll alternate between PCs and the enemy.

[Untarr]

Erik Armstrong (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628865)
M CG Alchemist, Level 1, Init 3, HP 9/9, Speed
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 0, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Repeating Crowssbow (Melissa) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus -1 (1d4-1, x2)
Bombs/Flask Throws +4 ((1d6+5/6 Splash), )
Masterwork Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition None

"Its a tatzlwyrm! Those jaws will grab you something fierce if ya ain't careful. Also, watch out for its poison breath. Try to attack it from different sides so it can only breathe on one of us at a time."

Throwing himself through the thick snow, Erik turns about and fires his crossbow at close range!


Move Action to (K,11)

Attack

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1
MF weapon focus: hand axe (8 rounds remaining)


Mick is completely taken by surprise as the wyrm leaps into melee. He turns sluggishly, weighed down by the snow drifts. As he trudges slowly forward, he shifts his spear to one hand and draws a dagger. As Erik moves away, Mick flings the blade at the wyrm.

Cam, meanwhile, presses towards the wyrm at Mick's command. As she closes the distance, she engages the wyrm viciously!


Mick: command Cam to attack: [roll0] vs DC 10. No, it can't fail. I just like rolling.
move to J/9 drawing dagger
[roll1] throw dagger
[roll2] CC (22, x2)
[roll3] damage
[roll4] crit bonus

Cam uses her 40 foot movement to go to M10, and attacks
Cam's attack:
[roll5] gore
[roll6] CC (23, x2)
[roll7] damage
[roll8] crit bonus

[JWallyR]

Sharvati spins to face the attacker, and then with surprising ease, steps across the snow to attack the foe!

With her 20 ft of movement under normal conditions (due to breastplate) and her mitigated penalty on movement due to Child of Winter, Sharvati should be able to make it to L8 and then attack with her morningstar:

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 13/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 2 (1d8+2, x2)
Sling 1 (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger 3 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[MuffinMan]

Sharvati 18 <---- We are here, in round 2
Tatzylwyrm 8
Mick/Cam 5
Erik 4
Round 1 Recap

As the wyrm bellows its challenge, Sharvati springs into action, moving nimbly through the snow and striking at the wyrm with her morningstar. The beast's scales deflect the force of the blow, however, and it appears unharmed. Ignoring the half-orc, it focuses its attentions on Erik and lunges forward with a vicious bite. The chain links on the alchemist's new armor are sturdy enough to withstand the strike, however. In frustration, the wyrm moves forward to gain a better angle of attack, giving Sharvati the opportunity to land a solid blow against its flank. Mick orders Cam into action, and the young mammoth rushes at the foe and goring it fiercely with his tusks, while the deep snow hampers Mick's aim and his dagger flies harmlessly into the snow. Erik springs away from the wyrm, evading a second snap of its jaws, before taking aim with Melissa and sending a bolt deep into the wyrm's shoulder, just beside the neck. The wyrm lets out another shriek of pain and rage.

Sharvati moves to L/8 and attacks T1: 10 - miss
T1 moves to M/10 (provoking AoO) and attacks Erik w/ bite: 9 - miss
Sharvati's AoO against T1: 19 - hit for 8 dmg
Mick moves to J/9 and throws dagger at T1: 7 - miss
Cam moves to L/9 (M/10 obstructed) and attacks T1: 18 - hit for 6 dmg
Erik moves to K/11 (provoking AoO) and attacks T1: 17 - hit for 7 dmg
T1's AoO against Erik: 6 - miss

Begin Round 2! The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated, and you can tell T1 is badly wounded. If I can get another post from JWallyR soon, I'll post T1's actions and then we can alternate PCs/enemies.

[JWallyR]

In the frenzy of the skirmish, Sharvati seems not to realize the degree to which her companions' movement is more hindered than her own by the depth of the snows. She circles around the creature before stepping in, swinging her morningstar with a rising growl of effort!

Move to N9. Don't anticipate anybody being able to 5ft step to flank, so planning to just plain ol' attack.

Attack: [roll0] <----- lolz
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 13/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[MuffinMan]

Sharvati 18
Tatzylwyrm 8
Mick/Cam 5 <---- We are here, in round 2
Erik 4
Round 1.5 Recap

Sharvati, continuing to move with surprising grace through the snow, maneuvers behind the beast and tries to strike it against with her morningstar, but its lashing tail makes her flinch back and causes her to miss. Enraged, the worm turn and lunges at her, and this time lets out a growl of triumph as its fangs find a way around her breastplate, penetrating her torso and drawing blood.

I initially had the wyrm attacking Erik, but this was incorrect because I hadn't updated him to be in K-11. Fail.

Sharvati moves to N/9 and attacks T1: 5 - miss
T1 bites Erik Sharvati: 20 - hit for 5 damage
T1 uses grab to start a grapple: 28 - success
The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated - give your round 2/3 actions! ErikSharvati is currently grappled (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#grappled) by the tatzlwyrm's jaws.

[Untarr]

Erik Armstrong (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628865)
M CG Alchemist, Level 1, Init 3, HP 9/9, Speed
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 0, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Repeating Crowssbow (Melissa) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus -1 (1d4-1, x2)
Bombs/Flask Throws +4 ((1d6+5/6 Splash), )
Masterwork Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition None

"Damnit girl I told you to watch out for those jaws!"

Without making a move to reload, Erik pulls the trigger on his crossbow again. A bolt flies out and streaks towards the creature!


[roll0]
[roll1]

CC 11
CD 4
(rolled in OOC)

[MuffinMan]

Erik's bolt strikes the creature in the neck, and with a gurgled cry it releases Sharvati before slumping over, dead.

End of Combat!

Inspecting the corpse, Erik notices that this tatzlwyrm is different from the sort he's read about - the whitened scales are unusual, and an ideal camouflage mechanism in the fresh-fallen snow. Both Erik and Mick realize that this creature is NOT indigenous to the Border Wood, or anywhere in Taldor...

It is now ~6pm, and there are about 1.5 hours of daylight left. The Border Wood is cold (~30 Fahrenheit); Erik and Mick need to roll a Fortitude save against the weather - details below.

Fort save vs DC 15, with +5 circumstance bonus due to cold-weather clothing. Failure results in 1d6 nonlethal damage and hypothermia (same mechanics as fatigued (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#fatigued)).

[Farmerbink]

Mick frowns deeply at the deceased creature. "Good shot, Erik. Get Mick dagger?" As he trudges through the snow, he points to the hole in the surface near Sharvati where the blade landed. He smiles and inclines his head as the Half-Orc deigns to retrieve it.

Looking down at the creature, a sudden shiver blows through him, eliciting a further scowl from the big man.
[roll0] vs DC 15 edit: *whew*

He looks up to the cloudy, darkening sky. "Need find camp. No stay in bad cold...." he mutters, unhappily.

"Back to carriage? Or try that way?" he asks, pointing in the direction of the receding trail.

[JWallyR]

"Damnit girl I told you to watch out for those jaws!"

As the combined efforts of her new friends bring down the creature clamped about her torso, Sharvati spits out, "What, you think I was trying to get bit?!" in a tone filled with anger and the lingering fear from the moments caught in the beast's toothy grasp. After a few moments of shallow breathing, the half-orc makes a visible effort to control her breath; after a few deep exhalations of relief, she looks up at Erick. "I'm sorry for my tone; you were trying to help. I've had to ward off a few wild beasts in my travels, but nothing like this... thing." She kicks weakly at its lifeless body.


"Good shot, Erik. Get Mick dagger?"

Sharvati nods kindly at the big man's awkward request before bending stiffly to sift at the snow with her gloved hands.


"Need find camp. No stay in bad cold.... Back to carriage? Or try that way?" he asks, pointing in the direction of the receding trail.

"Well, it's no picnic out here, but I hardly think that..." begins the half-orc as she turns to return the blade to Mick. Seeing the big man's breath clouding around him and the beginnings of shivering in both of her companions' forms, she falls silent, eyes widening beneath furrowed brows. A series of emotions war for control on the woman's angular face.

[Untarr]

"What, you think I was trying to get bit?!" in a tone filled with anger and the lingering fear from the moments caught in the beast's toothy grasp. After a few moments of shallow breathing, the half-orc makes a visible effort to control her breath; after a few deep exhalations of relief, she looks up at Erick. "I'm sorry for my tone; you were trying to help. I've had to ward off a few wild beasts in my travels, but nothing like this... thing." She kicks weakly at its lifeless body.

"You just gotta be more careful lass. This is likely be the smallest challenge on this trip."


[roll0]


"Need find camp. No stay in bad cold...." he mutters, unhappily.

A perceptible shiver rolls down his spine. "You've got the right idea. *ACHOO*" The man sneezes violently. A narly throat sound emanates from his nose as he hocks up a loogie and spits it into the snow. Taking out a cigarette, he lights it and takes a long drag before pointing forward. "I ain't goin' backwards in this crap. Lets move forward and find somewhere to shelter for the night."

[Farmerbink]

Mick shrugs. "OK. Look for big tree or cave. Need get out snow."

After eying Erik warily for a moment longer, Mick trudges onward, looking for some place to take shelter from the oppressive weather.

[JWallyR]

Still introspectively silent, Sharvati probes the area on the side of her breastplate where the creature's jaws found purchase. After a few quietly spoken words, a bit of the tightness around her expression fades, but the look of confusion and suspicion remain on her face as she steps, her normally stiff movements for once less so than her traveling companions.

CLW on self: [roll0]

[MuffinMan]

The groups continues away from the tatzlwyrm's corpse, still following the bandits' trail but now also looking for shelter against the coming night. A little further into the woods, the party begins to notice something odd: feathered bundles and strange fetishes hand from the lowest branches of the trees in this part of the forest, swaying and shifting in the wind. All are stuck through with small pins holding pieces of leather bound around them.

These bundles are actually each the frozen remains of a dead crow, pierced with tiny arrows similar to the ones found at the caravan. There can be little doubt that this was the work of malevolent fey...

[JWallyR]

Sharvati steps closer to one of the odd, feathered bundles before recoiling in disgust. "Ugh, they're frozen crows... pierced with those tiny arrows. What do you make of it?" she says to Erik, gesturing squeamishly at the things.

[Untarr]

[roll0] Nature for general additional information about the birds, the fey, and why they may be doing that to them

"Maybe they were making them to warn off people who would follow? I would not handle them very long either way. Dead crows are not known for being clean...."

[MuffinMan]

You recall that smaller fey, like sprites, commonly view birds in general and crows in particular as dangerous pests, whom they compete with for space and resources. The cruel way these birds were slaughtered is certainly an evil act, however.
With the sun setting and the temperature dropping, the party finds a likely spot to make camp against the trunk of a particularly large tree just off the trail, using its bulk to shield themselves from the worst of the wind. Between Mick's knowhow and Erik's alchemical implements, the group soon has a healthy fire going, and it brings much-welcomed warmth to the group as they set up a rotation of watches.

No encounters during the night - everyone gets full rest. Resume at first light the next morning (~7am).

[Farmerbink]

Mick grunts in discontent at the tortured avians. "Bad cold- bad people..."

In the leeward side of a large tree, Mick binds up several branches into a larger sheet to more-adequately shelter the trio from any additional snowfall. As Erik lights the fire, Mick gazes into it in a mixture of fascination and appreciation. During the first part of the night, he tends the blaze quietly with a sizable bundle of branches and twigs brought down by the unseasonable precipitation.

As the dawn breaks, he rises easily- used to nights in the wilderness. With a yawn and a stretch, he prepares himself to face the day ahead.

[roll0] Dunno if you want to apply other conditional modifiers, but typically DC 10 is good for foraging for one (+1 person for every 2 above 10)

[JWallyR]

As the trio makes their camp for the evening, Sharvati steps up to Eric. Noting the redness of his face in the cold, she says, "Here, let me..." With a few murmured words and a brief touch of her hand against his cheek, he feels the tingling pain of the savage chill fade in a sensation that feels cool, but not numbing...

Up to 3 additional CLW heals before night to top everybody off:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

Eric is free to RP respond however he'd like to the unusually... cold, but unmistakably soothing effect of Sharvati's healing. I'm making it a thing. :D

As the sun rises, Sharvati rises with it, clutching her thick furs around her before standing to assist with Mick's efforts.

Survival to forage: [roll3]

[MuffinMan]

Not long after the party sets out in the morning, a sudden silence fills the air. The warning only lasts half a heartbeat before the high-pitched twang of bowstrings fills the air!

Surprise Round

Three tiny arrows fly towards the party, coming from either side of the trail and behind them. Mick is hit in the leg - although not large, a numbing cold sensation immediately emanates from the wound and makes the leg hard to move! A second arrow is deflected harmlessly by Sharvati's breastplate, while a third badly misses Erik. The arrows are identical to those used in attacking the caravan, but the party cannot immediately see their sources.

Party Perceptions (rolled offscreen) fail to beat DC 30 - PCs are surprised.

The enemies attempt to "snipe", using Stealth to remain hidden after firing.

S1 attacks Mick: 24 vs flat-footed AC 15 - hit for 1 nonlethal dmg
S2 attacks Sharvati: 13 vs flat-footed AC 18 - miss
S3 attacks Erik: 10 vs flat-footed AC 14 - miss

Numbing Cold: Anyone struck by these foes' physical attacks must make a DC 11 Fortitude save of be staggered (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#staggered) for 1 round.

There is an enemy (S1) in G/15.

There is an enemy (S2) in J/5.

There is an enemy (S3) in O/12.
These are sprites (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary3/sprite.html#sprite), but their cold affinity marks them as a nonstandard variant. ("Winter-touched fey", FYI)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/dda14f36-2dfa-4085-83c7-22ee1bec2f0e_zpsr1m4tjq2.png

Roll initiative and give your round 1 actions! No enemies are immediately visible (make a Perception check). The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Anyone struck by an arrow must make a Fortitude save vs Numbing Cold (see mechanics).

[Untarr]

At Shavarti's cold touch, Erik's sniffles seemingly dry up immediately. You can see that he was surprised by the temperature of her hands, but makes no mention of it out loud.

"Lady's got the magic touch." he jokes aloud. "Thanks." he says warmly, though his eyes don't leave Shavarti for the rest of the evening until they finally settle in for the night.

In the morning, in a moment when they without Shavarti as she packs, Erik moves over to Mick and whispers quickly. "Keep an eye on her eh? I don't trust cold hands. Not here." he says waving to the unnatural snow.

***********************************
"Sprites! Little bastards. Its an ambush. One of them is over there!" he points behind a tree before taking cover next to a separate tree.

"Suck on this ya bastards!" His sylvan is distinctly coarse.

Using his cigarette, he pulls an iron bulb from his bandoleer, lights it, and chunks it at the tree where the sprite is hiding.


Move to K, 13

Throw Bomb
[roll0]
[roll1] 6 Splash Fire DMG
[roll2] Miss Square

If I read everything correctly, this means it will land in (E,15)

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13/13 (12, nonlethal) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 4/4
Stomp: 1/1


Mick is startled when the arrows erupt from the trees, but thanks to his wary nature, he responds quickly to the present threat. His eyes scan the trees with impressive speed, "Three! There, there!" As he points to the more distant assailants, he lumbers through the snow drifts towards the nearest- bringing his longspear to bear as he does.


Mick: charge attack- as standard action. Move to H/13
[roll0] longspear at S1
[roll1] CC (27, x3)
[roll2] damage
[roll3] crit bonus

Cam's possible attack: If I understand rules correctly, a DC 10 HA passes, and I have +10 to handle Cam.
Cam moves to J6 and attacks that one.
[roll4] gore
[roll5] CC (23, x2)
[roll6] damage
[roll7] crit bonus

[JWallyR]

Whirling to follow Mick's pointing finger, Sharvati snarls out a battle roar, charging at the treacherous fey creature!

Using Mick's pointing as a bonus on Perception rolled off-screen, Sharvati will Charge at the enemy in O12.

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 24
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 24
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 17, Touch 9, Flat-footed 16, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex, -2 Misc)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition -2 AC due to charging

[MuffinMan]

VS DC 12 Color Spray (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/spells/colorSpray.html#color-spray) (let me know if I've missed any relevant modifiers)

Cam: , else unconscious [roll1] rounds and blinded [Roll]1d4 rounds

Sharvati: [roll2], else unconscious [roll3] rounds and blinded [Roll]1d4 rounds
Round 1 recap

Erik fights through the numbing cold and springs into action, with him and Cam charging the two nearest sprites over the newfallen snow. The tiny foes prove quite evasive, though, and easily dodge the pair's attacks. Sharvati has more luck with her target, charging and landing a solid blow with her morningstar - but she feels the creature's skin deflect some of the impact, as though it were resistant to such mundane weapons. Erik steps forward and uses his ever-present cigar to light the fuse of a bomb before tossing it at the first fey, but the throw is wide and the minor explosion fails to damage anything. At the sight of the flames, though, all three sprites let out tinny cries of terror before sending kaleidoscopic bursts of color at their aggressors. Sharvati and Cam the pair see the attack coming in time to shield their eyes and are unaffected, but Mick is not so fortunate - the big man slumps to the snow, unconscious. The sprites turn to flee, presenting one last open target before skimming away through the woods at blinding speeds.

Mick charges and attacks S1: 15 - miss
Cam moves and attacks S2: 12 - miss
Sharvati charges and attacks S3: 21 - hit for 8-2=6 dmg
Erik moves to K13 and throws bomb at S1 - miss (lands in G/17, I believe).
Sprites use Color Spray (DC 12): Sharvati and Cam save, but Mick rolled (1d20+3)=7 and is unconscious for 5 rounds, blinded for 2 additional rounds.
Sprites scatter, moving at 60ft fly speed through the trees (already offscreen).
Cam gets an AoO on the retreating S2. Mick is unconscious for a few rounds, but unharmed. The sprites flee at 60ft fly speeds and are soon out of sight/range. I don't believe the party has any means to catch them yet, so this is the

End of Combat

[Untarr]

"Little basterds." Erik moves through the snow next to Mick. Slapping him a few times to no effect, the alchemist pulls out a tiny vial with a dark green liquid in it. "Hold yer breath." He uncorks it, revealing a truly vile smell that seems to singe the hairs out of your nose. Holding the vial under Mick's nose, Erik waits a few moments for the smell to do its work.

[JWallyR]

"Blasted, pesky... grumbles Sharvati as her target flees into the woods much faster than she can follow. Turning, she sees Erik ministering to the fallen Mick, and hurries over. "What's wrong? He doesn't look hurt..." After the big man comes to, she relaxes visibly. "Well, now that he's up and about... what were those things? I thought I got a good hit on mine, but for such a little thing, it seemed to shrug off the blow." She frowns thoughtfully into the distance.

[Untarr]

"Sprites. Winter Sprites from the look of them. The reason it shrugged off your bow was because its skin protects it from mundane weapons. You have to use cold iron or magic to get through them."

Erik says as he helps Mick to his feet. He corks the green smelly substance and stows it for later. "They can't fire off them rainbows very often. Best if we press forward and try to take advantage."

[Farmerbink]

Mick rises from the snow quickly, clearly annoyed with himself for succumbing to such underhanded and petty tactics. He nods at Erik's suggestion. "I no hurt. No reason to not go." He recovers his spear from where it fell in the snow, and lumbers off, at Sharvati and Erik's direction.

"Cam! Come!" The mammoth follows.

[MuffinMan]

The party sets out with renewed focus and heightened alertness, having now come upon some of the caravan's aggressors first-hand. The trail left by the bandits is still plain to follow, though the constant mild snowfall is beginning to obscure it somewhat.

Some 30 minutes later, the party finds itself on a narrow game trail winding its way through the trees and undergrowth. Hoofprints mark the underlying snow, leading in both directions. Only a few minutes after noticing the prints, they come upon their source - a large stag stands in the middle of the trail, staring quizzically straight at them with its head tilted to the side.

Yep, it's a stag (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary3/herdAnimal.html#herd-animal,-elk) (same stats as an elk). Its behavior is noteworthy, though, since they normally shun humans and run away at first sight...
To the group's collective astonishment, the stag then tosses its head an starts to speak in a high, airy voice: "Greetings, travelers. I hope you are enjoying this fine summer weather of ours - haha! What brings you to my part of the forest this morning?"

The voice comes from the stag's direction, but it's definitely not the one speaking

[Untarr]

[roll0] Nature

Auto fail Sense Motive

Erik takes a long drag of his cigarette before speaking. The smoke stands out against the cold of the air. "You don't see that every day."

Rubbing his temples, he lets out a low growl. "This is why I hate fey. Everything gets turned around. Snow in summer. Talking stags. What's next?"

He puts the cigarette out on his boot before flicking it away. "Whats it to you?" he responds to the stag's question.

[Farmerbink]

Mick grunts, somehow both acknowledging and dismissing Erik's complaint.

"Bad COLD!" he yells at the stag, irritated at being forced to voice the obvious. He slowly continues to trudge onward in the snow, attention primarily to the ground to focus on the tracks.

I realize that's likely to be an unhealthy choice, but that's what he'd do :-\

[JWallyR]

Taken momentarily aback, Sharvati gawks at the talking stag until the responses from her companions jar her out of her shock. "B-begging your pardon, sir... the antlers would mean 'sir', right?" her confusion interrupts her own interjection, but recovering her composure, she continues, "...but, ahem, please excuse my companions discourtesy. The one is... well... not much for talk," she gestures at Mick, "...and the other just not much for people, I suppose." She thumbs toward Erik. "As to our business, we've been asked to search for the Lady Argentea, whose caravan was set upon by brigands and, we're told, fey creatures of the cold. There's talk of ice witches spelling this cold on the woods, when by rights the summer heat should be at its height. We mean you no harm... I don't think... but would appreciate anything you might have seen that could lead us to the safe rescue of the Lady." The half-orc woman smiles warmly at the stag, suddenly revealing the hidden beauty of her angular blue-gray features.

Diplomacy to improve attitude: [roll0]

[MuffinMan]

The stag dances back a few paces at Mick's continued movement, so as to be out of the large man's direct path, but otherwise remains motionless. "Oho! Yes, my dear, no problem at all!" the voice comes again, directed at Sharvati. "This... unusual weather has everyone on edge! The Lady Argentea, you say...? Oh! You must mean the pretty lady that came through here a few days ago! She was with some bad men, I think, oh dear... But I saw where they went! In fact, I can take you there myself! Come now, I'll run ahead and you can follow me, I'll take you straight to her!" The stag tosses its head and begins to turn, making ready to bound away...

What has been a nagging suspicion in the back of your certainy crystallizes into a certainty: wherever this voice is coming from, it is not the stag - its features don't move and its expression never changes, while the light, airy timbre reminds you uncomfortably of your worst experiences with fey...

[Untarr]

He steps forward and grabs Shavarti before she can run after the stag. He shakes his head. Hocking up another loogie, he spits before continuing.

"Wait just one minute. I'm not going anywhere until you drop the stag puppet routine and show us who you really are."

[MuffinMan]

"Oh dear, you figured it out!" the airy voice calls mockingly, now with an aura of menace. "Very well, then!" The voice barks out an order in a different language, and abruptly the stag lowers its head and begins to charge!

Kill them!!!
Beginning of Combat!

Roll initiative and give your round one actions! The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated - the stag is the only visible foe at the moment. Once initiatives are sorted, we'll attempt to alternate PCs/foes.

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13/13 (12, nonlethal) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 4/4
Stomp: 1/1


Mick isn't expecting the elk to attack, and it shows in his sluggish response. Fortunately, he's half using the longspear as a walking staff in the first place, so he's armed when the animal makes its unnatural and unlikely assault. "Augh! Bad Elk!" he cries, unaware of his penchant for stating the obvious. He brings the spear to bear, perhaps to slowly to intercept the beast's exposed antlers.

Copied from OOC:

Mick: (1d20+4)[8] init
If I can, long spear attack from me- charging as a preference, moving forward if necessary. If the stag closes to melee, use hand axe instead. Also, aoo if IT charges:

(1d20+5)[12] longspear atk or aoo
(1d20+5)[17] cc
(2d6+6)[12] dmg
(2d6+6)[13] dmg

Attack, if Aoo happened:
(1d20+5)[14] atk
(1d20+5)[12] cc
(2d6+6)[15] dmg (longspear)
(2d6+6)[12] dmg
(1d8+2)[3] dmg (hand axe)
(1d8+2)[3] crit damage

Cam gore
(1d20+3)[16] atk
(1d20+3)[14] cc
(1d8+2)[7] dmg
(1d8+2)[10] crit damage

[Untarr]

Erik rolls his eyes "Boring conversation anyways..." he says pulling out a bomb. Waiting for a moment, he lobs it.


I would rather throw this at the dude with the voice than the stag. Delay until the end of the round, if he hasn't appeared, lob at stag. Make any movement needed to get in range.

[roll0] vs Touch
[roll1]
6 Splash
Fire

[MuffinMan]

Stag: 21
Fawfein: 19 ("At" on map)
Mick, Cam: 8 <--- We are here in round 2
Sprites: 7
Erik: 10 (delayed after sprites)
Sharvati: 6
Round 1.5 Recap

The quiet forest trails suddenly erupts in violence. As the stag charges Mick, he is able to get his longspear up in time to stab, wounding the beast greatly and throwing off its aim. No sooner has he struck with the spear, however, than he feels it suddenly shrinking: in the blink of an eye, the massive spear is reduced to the size of a wooden stake! Unphased, Mick draws his handaxe and finishes off the creature with a powerful blow. The woods are silent again for half a heartbeat as the stag falls, as Cam looks to his master and takes a defensive position. Then the air is rent by a screech of rage and the twang of bowstrings as three arrows fly out of the woods towards the party: Mick and Erik are struck, and each feels a shocking grasp of cold spreading from the wound. The group looks up to see the group of sprites from before, again sniping from the woods! Sharvati recognizes the one she moved previously and moves to attack with her morningstar, but misses. Meanwhile Erik tosses a bomb at the nearest sprite and is rewarded with a direct hit; eliciting a squeal of pain from the evil fey. Finally, Mick feels another stab of pain as he is stabbed in the shoulder - his assailant materializes to reveal miniscule creature flying before him on a pair of dragonfly wings, brandishing a needle-thin rapier dripping with the half-giant's blood.

The creature attacking Mick (and that was controlling the stag) is an atomie (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary3/atomie.html#atomie).
Stag charges (-2 AC) to G/10 and attacks Mick: 6 - miss
Mick's AoO with longspear: 12 - hit for 12 damage
At moves and uses shrink item (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/spells/shrinkItem.html#shrink-item) on the longspear: Will Save 11 (rolled offscreen) vs DC 17 - fail
Erik delays until a non-stag enemy becomes visible
Mick draws handaxe and attacks, hitting stag for 3 damage and killing it
Cam uses Total Defense (no visible enemies)
S1 attacks Erik: 22 - hit for 1 nonlethal damage plus Numbing Cold*
S2 attacks Sharvati: 11 - miss
S3 attacks Mick: 26 - hit for 1 nonlethal damage plus Numbing Cold*
Erik throws bomb at S1: 20 - hit for 9 damage (fire vulnerability)
Sharvati moves to H13 and attacks S3: 10 - miss
Fawfein attacks flat-footed Mick (breaking invisibility (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/spells/invisibility.html#invisibility)): 24 - hit for 1 nonlethal plus 3 Sneak Attack damage plus Numbing Cold*

*Numbing Cold: DC 11 Fort save or be staggered (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#staggered) this round

The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated - the sprites are visible to all. Mick needs two and Erik needs one save vs Freezing Cold. Alternating PCs/foes doesn't work here, unfortunately, so I need another round of actions from everyone.

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 8/13 (2 nonlethal) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 4/4
Stomp: 1/1


Mick shrugs off the chill, and lets out a roar of anger and irritation. "Bah! Die, bug!" He focuses his efforts before lashing out with his hand axe. "Cam, kill!" The mammoth lumbers forward, but is unable to connect with his tusks.

[roll0] fort vs DC 11, else staggered

Attack At
[roll1] atk
[roll2] CC (25, x3)
[roll3] dmg (hand axe)
[roll4] crit damage
If allowed by the save, use martial flexibility to take weapon focus (hand axe) first, adding +1 to attack and CC

Cam move to G8, gore
[roll5] atk
[roll6] cc
[roll7] dmg
[roll8] crit damage

[Untarr]

"**ck, its an atomie. Another fairie. Use cold iron. Keep it close so its harder to cast. It can disappear again..."

He pulls out another bomb and lobs it towards two of the sprites.

Suck on this ya rat basterds.


Passed Save

Move to (I,11)
Throw bomb at S.

[roll0]
[roll1] Fire

6 splash fire on S3 Reflex DC 16 half

[JWallyR]

If the sprite nearest her stays put, Sharvati will try to hit it with her morningstar:

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

If it moves but stays within one move action (or 5ft step?) Sharvati will cast Chill Touch and move to deliver the charge:

(Touch) Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Negative Energy Damage: [roll6] and fort save vs DC 15 or one strength damage
Crit damage (is this a thing?): [roll7]

If the sprite flees beyond 1 move action, Sharvati will retreat, working to surround the invisible rapier dude for flanking, etc.

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll8]
CC: [roll9] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll10]
Crit damage: [roll11]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[MuffinMan]

Stag: 21
Fawfein: 19 ("At" on map)
Mick, Cam: 8 <--- We are here in round 3
Sprites: 7
Erik: 10 (delayed after sprites)
Sharvati: 6
Round 2.5 Recap

The battle continues as Mick and Cam assault the newest foe: Mick lands a solid blow with his axe, but Cam's tusks fail to connect with the tiny faerie. Two of the sprites creep closer, continuing to send arrows at the group and scoring hits on Erik and Cam. The sprite nearest Sharvati draws a shortsword and stabs at her, but she deflects the blow easily. The cold from the arrow hinder's Erik's movement - he retaliates by throwing a bomb against the sprite that struck him, and is rewarded with a shriek of pain as it bursts into flames, perishing. Sharvati brings her morningstar to bear, but can't connect against the evasive sprite. Finally, with another curse the atomie disappears from view again!

Mick attacks At: 24 - hit for 7-2=5 damage
Cam moves to H8 and attacks At: 4 - miss
S1 stays put, attacks Erik: 25 - hit for 1 nonlethal damage plus Freezing Cold*
Erik's fort save: 1d20+3=6 - fail, Erik is staggered (rolled offscreen)
S2 moves to K4, attacks Cam: 25 - hit for 1 nonlethal damage plus Freezing Cold*
S3 draws shortsword, Fights Defensively vs Sharvati: 1 - miss
Erik throws bomb at S1's square: 15 - hit for 9 splash damage, killing S1
Sharvati attacks S3: 10 - miss
At uses invisibility (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/spells/invisibility.html#invisibility) (spell-like ability so no AoO), moves somewhere

*Freezing Cold: DC 11 Fort save or be staggered (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#staggered) this round

The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. I've rolled Erik's save, but Cam needs a save vs Freezing Cold

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 8/13 (2 nonlethal) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1
Weapon focus (hand axe): 9 rounds remaining

Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930)
Elephant Animal Companion
HP 17/18 (1 nonlethal) Speed 40 ft Init 2
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Gore +3 (1d8+2, )
Slam +3 (1d6+2, )
Str 14 (2) Dex 14 (2) Con 13 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 7 (-2)


Mick grunts in irritation as the creature disappears from view. Pointing at the northern Sprite, he hollers, "Cam! Kill!" As the elephant lumbers off, Mick turns his attention southwards, charging the visible sprite attacking Sharvati.

Cam [roll0] fort vs DC 11, else staggered. Both attacks charge (S2 is within one movement for Cam), regardless

Attack S3
[roll1] atk
[roll2] CC (27, x3)
[roll3] dmg (hand axe)
[roll4] crit damage

Cam Attack S2
[roll5] atk
[roll6] cc
[roll7] dmg
[roll8] crit damage

[JWallyR]

Cursing under her breath, Sharvati swings her morningstar at the pixie before her!

Assuming the pixie doesn't move, just plain ol' attack:

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

Should the pixie move, but remain close enough for a spell cast + move action, cast Chill Touch and move to attack:

Attack: [roll4] vs touch
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Negative energy damage: [roll6] plus 1 str damage (fort save vs DC 15 negates)
Crit damage: [roll7]


AoO, as applicable:
Attack: [roll8]
CC: [roll9] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll10]
Crit damage: [roll11]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Untarr]

"Hahahaha, burn you little sh***."

Pulling out his crossbow, Erik begins to fire at the remaining sprites.



Draw Crossbow
Cold Iron Bolt at S2
[roll0]
[roll1]

[MuffinMan]

Stag: 21
Fawfein: 19 ("At" on map)
Mick, Cam: 8 <--- We are here in round 4
Sprites: 7
Erik: 10 (delayed after sprites)
Sharvati: 6
Round 3.5 Recap

Mick and Cam split to charge the remaining sprites, but the tiny targets proves too evasive and dodge their blows. The one nearest Sharvati darts in with its shortsword and scores a glancing blow against the half-orc, causing the now-familiar sensation of numbing cold. The sprite being attacked by Cam withdraws from combat, its tiny wings propelling it away from the mammoth and to a clearer vantage for sniping at Erik. The grizzled alchemist fires at bolt at it, but misses. Sharvati swings and connects with the sprite in front of her, and can tell the tiny fey is almost finished. With a victorious cry, the atomie reappears floating behind Mick and scores a vicious blow, driving its blade into the large man's shoulder at the base of the neck.

Mick charges to H/13, attacks S3: 14 - miss
Cam charges to J/5, attacks S2: 12 - miss
S3 attacks Sharvati: 19, hit for 1 nonlethal damage plus Freezing Cold*
Sharvati's Fort Save: (1d20+2)=16 - pass
S2 uses Withdraw action, moves to S2
Erik attacks S2: 16 - miss (but close!)
Sharvati attacks S3: 18 - hit for 5-2=3 damage (nearly dead!)
Atomie reappears at G/12, sneak attacking Mick: 24 - hit for 1 nonlethal plus 6 lethal plus Freezing Cold*

*Freezing Cold: DC 11 Fort save or be staggered (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#staggered) this round

The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Mick needs another save vs Freezing Cold.

[Untarr]

Seeing that Atomie reappear, Erik, instead of reaching for a flask, instead reaches for a small bag. With a heave, he launches it at the sprite as it removes its small sword from Mick.


5-ft Step to (J,10)
Throw Tanglefoot Bag (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/goods-and-services/herbs-oils-other-substances#TOC-Tanglefoot-Bag) at Atomie
[roll0] vs Touch

[JWallyR]

With a frustrated growl, Sharvati swings her morningstar at the tiny fey menace once more!

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 1/13 (3 nonlethal) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1
Weapon focus (hand axe): 8 rounds remaining

Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930)
Elephant Animal Companion
HP 17/18 (1 nonlethal) Speed 40 ft Init 2
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Gore +3 (1d8+2, )
Slam +3 (1d6+2, )
Str 14 (2) Dex 14 (2) Con 13 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 7 (-2)


Now bleeding profusely, Mick lets out an aggravated roar. He turns his axe on the Atomie, just as Cam makes a sluggish charge from the other side to defend his master and companion.

all rolls here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20433898&postcount=35).
Cam probably missed (atk 11) might hit if the tanglefoot bag connected. (5 damage, if so)
Mick probably hit (atk 24) for 8 damage.
Mick passed fort save (14)

[MuffinMan]

Stag: 21
Fawfein: 19 ("At" on map)
Mick, Cam: 8 <--- We are here in round 5
Sprites: 7
Erik: 10 (delayed after sprites)
Sharvati: 6
Round 4.5 Recap

With a roar, Mick brings his axe down squarely on the tiny menace, and it crumples to the ground with one last shriek of rage. At a gesture from his master, Cam deviates his charge to go assist Erik with the sprite harassing him. The sprites themselves employ their shortswords against the party - one misses Sharvati, but the other nicks Cam, eliciting a trumpet of anger from the mammoth cub. Sharvati and Erik attack the remaining sprites with morningstar and tanglefoot bags, but miss.

Mick hits and kills At
Cam double-moves to L/11
S3 attacks Sharvati: 6 - miss
S2 attacks Cam: 16 - hit for 1 nonlethal damage plus Freezing cold
Erik throws tanglefoot bag at S2: 10 - miss
Sharvati attacks S3: 11 - miss

*Freezing Cold: DC 11 Fort save or be staggered (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/glossary.html#staggered) this round

The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Cam needs a save vs Freezing Cold.

[JWallyR]

With a guttural snarl of frustration, Sharvati rears her arm back, swinging it heavily down against the menacing sprite before her!

5ft step to H14 if allowed (remember that in Light snow, she takes no movement penalty!)

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Untarr]

Erik Armstrong (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628865)
M CG Alchemist, Level 1, Init 3, HP 9/9, Speed
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 0, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Repeating Crowssbow (Melissa) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus -1 (1d4-1, x2)
Bombs/Flask Throws +5 (+1 PBS, +1 TA) ((1d6+5/6 Splash), )
Masterwork Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition None


"D***" Erik curses at his illjudged throw. Bringing the crossbow to bear, he launches another cold iron bolt at the sprite battling Cam.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[Farmerbink]

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 1/13 (3 nonlethal) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1
Weapon focus (hand axe): 8 rounds remaining

Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930)
Elephant Animal Companion
HP 17/18 (1 nonlethal) Speed 40 ft Init 2
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Gore +3 (1d8+2, )
Slam +3 (1d6+2, )
Str 14 (2) Dex 14 (2) Con 13 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 7 (-2)


Mick lets out a wordless howl of victory as his axe finds purchase in the Atomie. He grunts in satisfaction as its body plops into the snow. Turning around, he brings his axe to bear on the nearer sprite, while Cam continues his own assault on the other.


[roll0] atk
[roll1] axe dmg

[roll2] cam gore
[roll3] gore dmg

[MuffinMan]

With twin roars, master and companion strike mighty blows against the sprites antagonizing them. Mick's target crumples to the ground, and with a squeal of fright, the last remaining sprite turns to flee. Erik brings up Melissa, sights, and sighs softly as the bolt releases - this time his aim is true and the last sprite falls dead to the ground, transfixed through the heart by the cold iron bolt.

End of Combat!

The trail left by the bandits is still plainly visible. Discuss, heal up, and we'll continue when you're ready!

[Farmerbink]

Mick pants in the cold, his breath forming misty clouds in the frigid air. "Bad cold." he grunts, as he slams the blade of his axe into the tree beside him, about 5 feet off the ground- for safekeeping. He pulls out several strips of thin cloth to bind around his bloodied shoulder. Cam walks over, and nuzzles his arm, eliciting a smirk and a gentle shove. "Gotta fix, Cam." The mammoth cub stands, watching the big man's arms.

I'm hopeful that Sharvati will interrupt the hour needed to treat deadly wounds (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/skills/heal.html#heal), either with a shot or two from the wand, or good old oracle shenanigans.

[Untarr]

His huffs off air making clouds thicker than his cigarettes, Erik keeps his cross bow at the ready for a few moments. He cautiously approaches the dead sprite.

Reaching out with a foot, Erik taps the body. Quickly he pulls back, finger on the trigger. Moving forward, he kicks it again before finally dropping the crossbow to his side.

He looks around silently for a few moments before throwing the strap attached to the stock around his shoulder. Using his hand to hold it behind him, he pulls out another cigarette.

Erik struggles to hold hands still as he attempts to light the little white wrapper in his teeth. After several moments, his efforts are rewarded with a small blaze followed by a satisfied exhale.

Bending over, he pulls the small arrow out of his leg. Breaking it with one hand, he throws it away before bending over the body of the sprite.


Search all the bodies.

[JWallyR]

As the others finish off their foes, Sharvati throws her morningstar at the ground in disgust, panting in the effort and frustration of her efforts.


"Gotta fix, Cam." The mammoth cub stands, watching the big man's arms.

Sharvati turns to the big man beginning to bandage his wounds. Scoffing quietly, she fishes in her pack for the wand of curative magic before addressing him, "Here, let me. I wasn't much good in that fight, but I can help you with that."

Healing until Mick is satisfied:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]


After seeing to his wounds, she joins Erik in poking and kicking at the corpses of their foes, looking for any clue about them. "Blasted pixies. Getting tired of 'em."

[Untarr]

Blasted pixies. Getting tired of 'em.

A smile crosses Erik's face at the woman's comments. "See. Now you are learning." Erik walks over to Mick and checks him over. "You seem right as rain."

Erik starts ahead. "Come on, lets get this sh** over with."

Gathering everything he's found, he sets off after the bandits.

[MuffinMan]

Each of the sprite fighters carried a diminutive (AKA child-sized) shortsword, shortbow, and 14gp. The atomie carried a diminutive rapier and 20gp. The loot sheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.
After mending their wounds, the party resumes following the bandits' trail. The morning air is sharp and cold, but the exertion of movement keeps the cold at bay, for the moment, and those of you without natural fur coats are again thankful for the cold-weather garb from Vivialla's general store.

One mile further ahead the trail crosses the Wishbone Creek, where another odd sight greets you: the creek is completely frozen over! Ordinarily it would be babbling and flowing smoothly at this time of year... The trail through the snow descends to the icy surface and continues at the other side - this is obviously where the bandits crossed.

The frozen creek is not the only oddity, however. A human-sized snowman stands in the middle of the trail, some five feet from the creek. A crude wooden sign leans against it and bears the words "Trespassers Turn Back."

(Sharvati acquired this knowledge via Diplomacy in an early post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20185640&postcount=3)).

Nobody owns this portion of the Border Wood, so something is amiss. A ranger outpost known as the High Sentinel Lodge a few miles ahead is the only major structure for hours, and the rangers make no claim to ownership of the area.
As the party examines the snowman and the sign, its upper body stirs, as if coming to life, and it suddenly speaks the words: "Can't you read? The sign says turn back! Now get lost!"

Yep, there's magic. A weak aura of illusion plus a slightly stronger one of evocation, both coming from the "snowman".

The voice is caused by a Magic Mouth (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/spells/magicMouth.html#magic-mouth) effect - the snowman isn't actually sentient.

(The Perception DC below is 27, with a possible +4 circumstance bonus for using Detect Magic or having the auras described to your PC.)
It's a trap! If anyone gets within 5 feet of the snowman, something unpleasant will happen.

(This DC includes a +4 circumstance bonus for knowing the aura & school of magic).

There is a map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) for this area.

[Untarr]

Without a word, Erik pulls up his crossbow and shoots the snowman between the eyes.

"Shut up. We ain't got time for your crap, fairy...."


[roll0]
[roll1]

[MuffinMan]

The crossbow bolt punches cleanly through the snowman's head and flies to bury itself in the opposite bank. The snowman's face is now somewhat malformed, but it repeats in the exact same voice, "Can't you read? The sign says turn back! Now get lost!"

[Untarr]

Erik lets out a low growl. "Forget it. There is nothing out here but faries anyways. Just another trick, another illusion, or some such bullsh**."

Erik pushes on, ignoring the snowman as much as possible.

[Farmerbink]

Mick glares at the snowman with naked distrust. Keeping his distance, he strafes around the figure, while focusing on it. He shuffles sideways until he can put himself between the snowman and the creekbed, wanting less than nothing to do with talking snowmen, after what happened with the talking Elk.

[JWallyR]

"Wait a second. Does this creek have a name?" says Sharvati, looking keenly discomforted at the snowman's eerie motion and mindless repetition of the empty phrase. "While you two were making bolts at the blacksmith's, I asked around the town, and some farmer's boy followed a talking stag, can't believe I forgot, how many talking stags are there about,", the woman shakes her head in frustration and embarrassment, " and took ill after falling into a 'Wishbone' creek. If this-" she gestures vaguely at the creekbed "is that creek... I'd be careful. First, let's have a look at our icy 'friend' here..." The half-orc whispers a few words, blinks, and when her eyes reopen they seem almost to glow their clear-sky blue hue as she inspects him.

Detect Magic to inspect the snowman, Perception for stuffs: [roll0]

"Huh. Must be an illusion spell... and some sort of... power-forming spell? 'Elocution' or whatever it's called?" Scratching her head, the woman pauses, peering at the deformed face of the odd thing.

[MuffinMan]

Unable to discern anything else from the snowman, the group gives it a wide berth and proceeds carefully to the bank of the frozen creek. After prodding carefully with his longspear, Mick gingerly steps out onto the surface to test its strength while the others wait on the bank. The ice feels solid and strong, but no sooner has Mick gone three paces than there is a loud hissing sound - moments later two crystalline figures rise out of the ice! With humanoid torsos and serpentine tails, they resemble nothing so much as living sculptures of ice, each slightly smaller than a human. Roaring out a challenge, they attack!

These are small ice elementals (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary2/elemental.html#elemental,-ice).
Beginning of Combat

Roll initiative and give your round 1 actions - no one is surprised. The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[Untarr]

"More fairy crap. Can't blow'em up cause they're on that river!"

Erik unstraps his cross bow and begins launching bolts at the approaching creatures.


Initiative [roll0]

He'll attack the closer one, or, if one has been damaged by another character by his turn, he'll attack the same one they did.
[roll1] Or not...lololol
[roll2]

[Farmerbink]

"Gah!" Mick hops backwards in surprise as the figures arise nearby. With slightly more distance, he turns his spear towards them to fend off their approach.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1


5-foot step to M/12. Poke I1.
[roll0] spear attack
[roll1] CC (25, x3)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

[JWallyR]

Eyes boggling at the sudden appearance of the creatures, Sharvati circles around Mick as he retreats, crouching with her morningstar poised to strike!

Move to N12

Ready an attack, assuming the uglies get close to start something:

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[MuffinMan]

Erik: 13 <-- We are here, in round 2
Mick/Cam: 11
Ice elementals: 11
Sharvati: 10
Round 1 Recap

The once-quite creek bed erupts in violence as the elementals approach! Erick takes aim and fires with his crossbow, but the bolt glances harmlessly off the creatures' crystalline ice hide. Mick steps back and tries to apply his longspear to the foes, but they prove too evasive, ducking beneath his blows with ease. The elementals advance on Mick and rush him with a pair of slam attacks: Mick twists away from the first, and is barely able to get his buckler up in time to deflect the other. Seizing a moment while the creatures are distracted, Sharvati moves up to the edge of the bank, adjacent with Mick, and bashes one of the creatures with her morningstar! A violent *snapping* accompanies the spreading of cracks through the beast's frame, testifying to the efficacy of her strike!

Erik attacks I1: 7 - miss
Mick moves to N/12, attacks I1: 13 - miss
(Cam takes no action this round)
Elementals move (5ft step) to L/13, N/13, attack Mick: 15, 9 - miss
Sharvati moves to N/12, attacks I2: 17 - hit for 5 damage
The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Only Sharvati acts after the elementals, so we'll keep this alternation of posting as long as it works for everyone.

[JWallyR]

Grinning in savage exultation, Sharvati continues her slow circle, lashing out with her morningstar once more!

5ft step to O13 (or depending on move action, somewhere else that facilitates future hypothetical flanking) and attack!

Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll4]
CC: [roll5] for x2 on22
Damage: [roll6]
Crit damage: [roll7]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Untarr]

"Mick, back up!"

Erik waits briefly for the giant man to take a step back before yelling...

"Fire in the hole!"


Delay until after Mick. Mick needs to attack and then step back a square.

Target bottom right of L,13 with a bomb

[roll0] vs AC 5 (auto hit)
for Six splash Fire Damage on both

Erik Armstrong (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628865)
M CG Alchemist, Level 1, Init 3, HP 9/9, Speed
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 0, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Repeating Crowssbow (Melissa) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus -1 (1d4-1, x2)
Bombs/Flask Throws +4 ((1d6+5/6 Splash), )
Masterwork Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition None

[Farmerbink]

A soft growl escapes the big man's lips as his attack proves fruitless. "Cam! Back!" The mammoth dutifully steps backwards, leaving room for Mick to return to the riverbank. The hunter follows, and lashes out once more with the spear.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 13 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1


5-foot step to L/11. Poke I1.
[roll0] spear attack
[roll1] CC (25, x3)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

[MuffinMan]

Round 2 Recap

Mick steps back onto the relative safety of the back and jabs out with his oversized longspear - the blow is true and sends cracks rippling through the crystalline torso. Erik bides his time until Mick steps aside, then lobs a bomb into the center of the foes - it explodes in a burst of flame, and there are two more loud *crack*s as the figures shatter into a thousand pieces and begin to melt in front of your eyes. As quickly as it came, the attack is over.

Cam moves to L/10.
Mick steps to L/11 and attacks I1: 18 - hit for 11 damage.
Eriks bombs L/13, splashing both elementals for 9 fire damage. GG them :smalltongue:
End of Combat!

With the elementals dispatched, the party is able to make it across the rest of Wishbone Creek unmolested. Not far from the opposite bank, they come across an unfortunate sight: the legs and feet of a frozen corpse jut from a pile of snow next to the trees here. Inspecting the body reveals that the man's possessions remain with him, and are in good condition despite having been exposed to the elements.

On the body, you find:
- a composite longbow (+1 Str bonus)
- 12 arrows
- a dagger
- a masterwork handaxe
- a pouch with 14gp, 25sp, and 18cp
This is the corpse of Old Man Dansby, a farmer from Heldren. A former soldier of Taldor, he took pride in keeping his military gear in good repair, which explains their quality. You recall him complaining recent days about some sort of fey stealing crops from his fields. It looks like the poor fool tried to do something about it himself...
The loot (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) sheet is updated.

[Untarr]

with a +6, auto pass

Erik bends over the pile of snow and begins to carefully brush it off until a face is revealed. With an audible sigh, the alchemist stands back up straight before placing his hand son his hips in frustration.

"Dansby you damn fool. Always more grit than sense." Erik bends back over and starts to grab his things. "We'll have to come back for the body once we are done, but no sense in wasting valuable supplies for now."

[JWallyR]

Blinking at the sudden explosion, Sharvati relaxes from her poised position as the creatures melt before her eyes. "Huh. This gets weirder and weirder." Shaking her head as she returns her morningstar to its strap, she picks her way across the frozen river without apparent difficulty.

As the party stumbles upon the lower extremities of the frozen figure, Sharvati shakes her head. "Another poor soul lost." As their search uncovers his body, the half-orc's eyes narrow in though. "Huh. I think I know who this is. I overheard some talk about a farmer named Dansby, who was telling people about crops being stolen, thinking at first it was bandits, but later fey." The woman shakes her head sadly at the frozen body.

Sharvati can't use anything here, so you guys are welcome to grab what you want.

[Farmerbink]

Mick looks on, saddened by the sight. He bows his head briefly, in silent homage to the deceased. Immediately dismissing the equipment, he prowls a few steps ahead and up the riverbank. One hand rests idly on Cam's flank, as he peers into the brush ahead.

[roll0]

[Untarr]

Erik stands up and lights another cigarette (where does he get all of those?!). Following Mick up the slope, the alchemist seems deep in thought. "Used to drink with him. Guy could suck down some whiskey when he wanted to..."

[MuffinMan]

The party continues following the trail, hearts heavier with the fate of Old Man Dansby. As they walk through the mid-morning, the trail begins to climb a ridgeline to the south beneath snow-laden trees. The prints of boots and horses mar the freshly-fallen snow on the trail.
Several prints are more recent than the original trail you've been following - you must be getting close.
Mick's sharp ears hear the noise first, and when he holds up a hand to silence the others, everyone can hear it: the sound of quarreling voices from just up ahead on the trail. Straining their ears and creeping slightly closer, the party can just make out snatches of specific words and phrases:

"Ger'off - this one's mine!"

"Ain't fair, you already got jewels from them handmaidens!"

"Shaddup both o' ya. I already called dibs back at the caravan."

"But Rohkar said-!"

You can make out at least four distinct male voices.

The bandits are evidently as yet unaware of your presence. How do you proceed?

[Untarr]

"We should hug the treeline and hit them from the sides. I can drop a few bombs on them before they ever know what hit them..."

Moving off the trail, Erik uses the trees and brush for cover as he tries to get into position.


[roll0] Stealth

If they react to him at all, he'll throw a bomb into the middle of them immediately. (well depending on range obviously)

[Farmerbink]

The realization that their prey is nearby elicits a low, soft growl from Mick's throat. He points, drawing his companion's attention.
"We should hug the treeline and hit them from the sides. I can drop a few bombs on them before they ever know what hit them..."Mick nods. He moves to the other side of the trail, and steps into the underbrush. Turning to Cam- still out of sight of the bandits- he gives a quick command. "Stay, Cam. I call, soon." The mammoth gently probes about Mick's chest with his trunk as he dutifully settles in to wait for Mick.

Mick turns back towards the sounds of the bandits, and prowls forward- surprisingly quiet in the heavy snow. Muffled crunches of his footsteps mark his passage.
[roll0] I KNEW IT WOULD BE USEFUL!!! :smallbiggrin:

[MuffinMan]

Mick moves through the snow-covered forest like a ghost, exhibiting uncanny grace for such a large man and the casual competency of long experience. Using trees and foliage to conceal his frame, he gets within 15 feet of the trail and can clearly make out four human bandits, each armed with sword and bow. They are lounging against trees and arguing loudly about a pile of garments lying atop a small chest, both of which bear the same markings as those found at Lady Argentea's caravan.

Erik make a similar approach on the opposite side of the trail, crouching low and using the terrain as cover to get close. Just as he can make out the group well enough to pick a target, though, his foot lands on a dry branch concealed beneath some fresh-fallen snow, eliciting a loud *snap*!

"Hey, what's tha- over there!!"

"Get him!!!"

Beginning of combat!

Roll initiative and give your round 1 actions! No one is surprised, but the bandits are currently unaware of anyone but Erik. The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[JWallyR]

Sputtering curses at Erik's noise, Sharvati throws herself bodily into a charge, looking for a chance to even the odds...

Initiative: [roll0]

Depending on initiative, I anticipate getting Sharvati to N10 and casting Cause Fear on the bandit nearest Erik. Will save DC 15 or Frightened for [roll1] rounds. Else Shaken 1 rd.

If instead there's an applicable charge target near Erik, Charge!!

Attack: [roll2]
CC: [roll3] for x2 on 24
Damage: [roll4]
Crit damage: [roll5]

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll6]
CC: [roll7] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll8]
Crit damage: [roll9]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Shield, Heavy Wooden (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Untarr]

An "Oh sh**!" escapes his mouth as the party of bandits look directly at him. Their malice is naked on their face.

Reaching into his bandoleer, Erik stumbles back a few steps before launching it at the bandits. Its in midflight when another object appears in his hand. The verdant green vial pops against the white background.



Throw bomb at nearest bandit.

If there is an opportunity to hit three of the four bandits with a bomb that targets a square instead of a bandit, do that.

[roll0] vs Touch
[roll1]

Move Action: Draw Reduce Person Potion.

[Untarr]

Mick lumbers into action, using his longspear to open up on the bandits as they look towards Erik.


Move to I,9
Draw Long Spear as part of Move
Use reach to hit B4

[roll0]
[roll1]

[MuffinMan]

Erik 18 <-- We are here, in round 2
Sharvati 14
Mick, Cam 6
Bandits 2
Round 1 Recap

The battle starts with a *bang* as Erik lobs a bomb into the bandits' midst, dousing three of them with fire and settling their argument over the garments once and for all. Sharvati moves closer and casts a spell at the nearest bandit - despite the shock of the attack, he somehow closes his mind to her tampering and resists. Mick steps forward and skewers one of the bandits at the rear of the band, striking from range with his longspear. Cam moves forward and attempts to gore one of the burned bandits, but misses.

Finding themselves ambushed and outmatched, with one of their own down already, the bandits begin to scatter! "Back to th' lodge!!!" bellows the leader. Taking aim at Mick, he shoots an arrow squarely into the half-giant's chest before running away down the trail. One of his allies takes a shot a Cam, but the arrows fails to penetrate the mammoth's tough skin and the man flounders away into the snow. The last bandit withdraws carefully to flee from Cam but doesn't notice Mick lurking behind a tree - the giant spear flashes out to spit the man as he runs past, leaving him lifeless in the snow.

Erik throws bomb into H/11, splashing B2, B3, and B4 for 6 fire damage. Then draws potion.

Sharvati moves to N/10, casts Cause Fear DC 15 on B4: B4's Will save (1d20-1)=15 - pass

Mick moves to I/9 while drawing longspear. Attacks B2 in G/10 (less cover): 24 - hit for 11 damage, killing B2.

Cam moves to J/12 and attacks B4: (1d20+3)=6 - miss

B1 shoots at Mick, then moves to B/7:
atk (1d20+2)[22], cc (1d20+2)[22], dmg (1d6)[2], cdmg (2d6)[7] - confirmed crit for 9 damage total to Mick

B3 shoots at Cam, then moves to F/14:
atk (1d20+2)[12], cc (1d20+2)[21], dmg (1d6)[2], cdmg (2d6)[6] - miss

B4 attempts to withdraw to A/5. Mick's AoO on B4 as he withdraws:
atk (1d20+5)[15], dmg (2d6+6)[16] - hit, killing B4.

Begin Round 2!

The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[Untarr]

Snapping the arrow off his chest, Mick moves forward with a roar. Dropping the long spear he takes out his axe and swings at one of the fleeing bandits.


Move to G,13
[roll0]
[roll1] (+2 from 2H)

I don't have a sheet for Cam. Can't find it either. If it runs fast enough, I want it to run after B1

With a blink of surprise, Erik drops the flask and instead moves forward and fires at the bandit fleeing down the trail.


Move to H,12
[roll2]
[roll3]

[MuffinMan]

Round 2 Recap

Erik reacts quickly to the bandits scattering, sending a crossbow bolt into the nearest one's leg and hurrying after him to give chase. Sharvati does, too - moving through the thick snow with supernatural ease. Mick hurries up the trail after the bandit leader and orders Cam to attack: with a bellow, the young mammoth does just that - charging up the lane and impaling the brigand on his tusks. With a cry, the man falls. Seeing his leader and companions fallen, the remaining bandit stumbles through the snow away from Sharvati before tossing his shortbow away and throwing his hands in the air. "I-! I surrender! Don't kill meee!!!"

Erik shoots B3 and moves to I/12 (can't quite reach H/12): 19 - hit for 2 damage

Sharvati double-moves to G/14

Mick double-moves to B8, and orders Cam to attack

Cam charges to C/8 and power attacks B1: - hit for 11, killing B1
gore (1d20+4)[19] (+2 charge, -1 power), cc (1d20+4)[23]
dmg (1d8+4)[11], cdmg (2d8+8)[14]

B3 withdraws to D/12 and surrenders
End of Combat

The map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L6wERcrLwFNSDaGDii3buojQyaLkRZvk_muNl4uWAiM/edit?usp=sharing) is updated, but the remaining bandit is no longer putting up a fight.

[Untarr]

"Mick! Grab 'em and get him over here onto the path. I'm sick of this walking through this damn snow." The surly man lights another cigarette as Mick easily manhandles the bandit back to the path. "Set him down right there." He says, pointing his cigarette to the bandit leader's body. As Mick holds him down, Erik pulls out a flask of something green, and kneels down next to the man.

"Alright. This is what we're gunna do." Erik says, his tone matter of fact and face somber. "You are going to tell me everything I want to know, and if we like what you say, I won't pour this" he wiggles the flask "onto you." Erik puffs some smoke into the man's face. "AND!! As an added bonus, because we are all in such a festive mood, we won't kill you!" Erik smiles broadly from ear to ear. "Sound like a pretty good plan?" Without letting the man speak, Erik continues "ME TOO! I'm glad we all agree."

"First of all, where's the woman, and why did y'all take her?"


Anything besides a direct answer leads to an uncorking of the flask. But he does not pour it on him.

[MuffinMan]

After being manhandled by an albino nearly twice his size, all the fight has gone out of the hapless brigand and he quivers at Erik's every stern gesture. The sudden question catches him by surprise, though, and he blinks stupidly for a few seconds. "Wha-? The, uh, woman? What woman?"

Erik begins dramatically uncorking the flask.

"Oh!! W-w-wait! Wait!" the man flinches back, terror in his eyes. "You mean mean that fancy lady from th-the coach?" Relief visibly shoots through him as he sees confirmation in the party's faces. "She's alive! She's fine - back at the Lodge! Though with the mouth on that one I don't why we don't-" An angry grunt from Mick makes him swallow the rest of his statement and gets him back on track. "I dunno why we got her!! 'Get the woman, alive', Rohkar said - no explanation! Bad enough gettin pushed around by them damn fairies - now we gotta do their dirty work, too!"

You have a "hunch" that he's speaking truthfully, so far - he seems much too panicked to be crafting any elaborate deceptions!

[Untarr]

Erik keeps the cork off the flask. Nodding along with the panicked bandit, Erik rubs his chin with his free hand.

"Lets say I believe you. And you are lucky I do." Erik looks at the man intently. "Is this the only thing you've had to do for the fairies? Kidnap this woman? It sounds like they've been being bossy little B****** for a while now."

[MuffinMan]

"Jus' the one job, an you 'ken say that again!" the man complains bitterly. "Said they'd help up take the lodge, but I told Rohkar it was a devil's bargain. But would he listen to me? Hell no! An now them fairies is laughin while half o'us is laid up with them damn shakes...!" The man clams up suddenly with a fearful expression, as though suddenly worried he's said too much.

[Untarr]

Erik looks at the man sympathetically for a long moment. Taking a drag, he sits and thinks for a moment before speaking

"Ok. Looks like we've reached the hard part of this conversation. And you've already used up your 'uncork the bottle' warning with that first question. The only thing left to do here is to tip it over and start letting it drip onto your face." He swirls the uncorked flask's contents slowly while he speaks, emphasizing his words.

"So the next couple of minutes are going to be real important to your stunningly good looks. It'll be real hard to get a woman with rotting holes in your face. So son...I'd be careful how I answer this next question if I was you." Erik takes another drag. "Ya readin' me?"

"Good. So. What are these shakes? How many men you got in that lodge? And are there any of those fairy sh*** with you?"

[JWallyR]

Sharvati stumps over to stand next to the bandit, eyeing him irritably as Mick makes his way over. Yielding him to the big man's grasp, she takes a moment to tend to the wound left by the arrow...

Use CLW wand: [roll0] plus a second shot if the first one is less than around 4: [roll1]

As Erik's intentions become clear, Sharvati pales, but her discomfiture is hidden from her position behind and to the side of the man as his interrogation proceeds. Her dismay is overridden by an expression of suspicion and anger as he reveals what he knows. Moving eerily silent in the snow until her mouth is just behind the ear of their captive, the half-orc woman softly says, "If I were you, I'd answer his questions before he gets too caught up in the fun. He's not likely to stop if you let him get started..." her voice trails away suggestively.

Intimidate: [roll2] Plus whatever circumstantial modifiers are appropriate :smallwink:

[MuffinMan]

"Good. So. What are these shakes? How many men you got in that lodge? And are there any of those fairy sh*** with you?"

Moving eerily silent in the snow until her mouth is just behind the ear of their captive, the half-orc woman softly says, "If I were you, I'd answer his questions before he gets too caught up in the fun. He's not likely to stop if you let him get started..." her voice trails away suggestively.
The bandit shivers as though Sharvati had run an icicle along his spine. "N-no fairies!!!" he sputters. "They come an go sometimes, but Rohkar keeps em outa the Lodge... We was a full score, but-" his eyes catch on his fallen comrades, and a spark of anger shows through, "fewer now. An half o us that's left got them- what'd Ten-Penny call em? - the chillbane shakes. Fever, chills, - an it's all them damn fairies' fault!"
You get the sense that his claim that there is a full score (20) of bandits is an exaggeration, though not a huge one
The chillbane shakes is a less virulent strain of chillbane fever, a disease endemic to the frozen lands of Irrisen (more on that later!). The symptoms resemble that of an extreme case of flu: fever, weakness, shivering, and nausea.

Mechanics:
Type disease, contact or inhaled; Save Fortitude DC 12
Onset 1 day; Frequency 1/day
Effect fatigued and sickened; Cure 2 consecutive saves

"Look, I told ya what you wanna know- now let me go!" The man looks around at the faces of the party, trying to gauge who is most likely him mercy, and settles on Sharvati. "Please miss, don't let him burn me! I'll go straight away an you'll never hear from me again!"

(Forgot to mention this earlier!)

Each of the four bandits, including the one being interrogated, had the following belonging:
- padded armor
- buckler
- shortsword
- shortbow
- 20 arrows
- 8gp, 5sp

The loot page (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[Untarr]

"Mick." The cranky man stands, corking the bottle. "Shut him up."

Mick nods before taking a huge hand and bringing it down across the mans face hard.


Coup De Grace to Knock Him out
[roll0] Non Lethal Damage.

Will do it again if needed to knock him out.

[roll1] Erik Sense Motive
[roll2] Mick Sense Motive

"Collect all the bodies, bury them in the snow. Take this fella' and bury him as well. Wrap him in some blankets 'fore hand so he don't freeze to death before he wakes up."

Erik and Mick begin to drag the bodies into the snow banks before covering them up. While they work, Mick explains Chillbane Shakes.

"That's interesting. He was lying about their numbers, but not about the sorry state their health was in. Sounds like the fairies are just using them. Might be a trap. We move in, kill the bandits for them, and then get ambushed on the way out with the lady." He flicks the cigarette away before taking a moment to light another. "Fairies get rid of everyone all at the same time and barely have to get their hands dirty. If its a trap, we should rest and hit them early tomorrow morning. I'm running on fumes."

[JWallyR]

"Mick." The cranky man stands, corking the bottle. "Shut him up."

Sharvati backs away, an expression of distaste evident on her face as Mick beats the bandit into unconsciousness. "Poor sap. 'Course, that's what you get, bandits fallin' in with faeries. Nasty business, that."


"That's interesting. He was lying about their numbers, but not about the sorry state their health was in. Sounds like the fairies are just using them. Might be a trap. We move in, kill the bandits for them, and then get ambushed on the way out with the lady." He flicks the cigarette away before taking a moment to light another. "Fairies get rid of everyone all at the same time and barely have to get their hands dirty. If its a trap, we should rest and hit them early tomorrow morning. I'm running on fumes."

Sharvati eyes Erik appraisingly. "You've been running on fumes all day, but staying downwind so I haven't said anything." She smiles slyly at the man. "Anyway, I don't know about that. Took us a day and a half to get here, we aren't making it back to town, and setting up camp where we know the leash they kept on this lot reaches doesn't sound like my idea of a good time. What kinda fumes are we talking?"

Opportunity to talk IC about character schticks, plus Sharvati has used exactly 1 spell, and stuffs.

Unrelated: Was there loot on the corpses (and the unconscious dude? Strip him of weapons and anything else valuable IMO.

[Untarr]

"I can only manage so many of those bombs a day girl. I need some time to prepare more. I think I got enough here for about...hrmm...two more."

He goes through his pack, looking through various vials and bits. A quick glance reveals a highly organized interior filled with bags, vials, and such all labeled and pinned shut. A surprising amount of organization for a man whom seemingly gives little thought to his own looks and health.

"I mean, I could through some of these acid flasks, but those are for emergencies." Packing up everything, the man stands up. "Maybe we can take a closer look at this lodge before making a decision."

Erik moves to follow the direction the bandits fled in.

[JWallyR]

Sharvati's face reveals her surprise at (and grudging appreciation of) the man's satchel before shooting a questioning look at Mick. Without waiting for a response, she grins at Erik's assent. "Now you're talking! The sooner we get the Lady out of here, the sooner we get to sleep in a place with closed windows and a fireplace." She seems not to notice that, while her apparent chill has not changed, her companions seem to still move more slowly and stiffly in the wintry weather than she, as they move to investigate the lodge.

[Farmerbink]

Mick grunts noncommittally, but in something resembling disagreement with Erik's overall sentiment. "This 'mergencee," he says, mangling the pronunciation but making his perspective obvious. "Lady not safe- much waiting already." His bushy eyebrows furrow over a grumpy expression, the cause of which could be any number of things.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 11 / 13 Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1

[MuffinMan]

After binding and wrapping the living bandit in a blanket, the part deposits the lot of them into a nearby snowdrift just off the trail. The now-more-recent tracks are child's play to follow in the fresh-fallen snow, and you continue on without incident for about 40 minutes, the crunch of snow under your boots and the steam of your breaths in front of you the only disturbance in the surreal, if surreal, winter landscape.

After climbing at least a hundred feet into the hills, the snowy trail finally levels off. In a clearing among the trees, a large wooden lodge overlooks a ravine spanned by a long rope bridge. Smoke rises from the lodges's two snow-covered chimneys, and a large woodpile is stacked against the outer wall. A small outbuilding stands east of the lodge, and a stone well nearly blanketed with snow is barely recognizable to the north. Several tracks lead southwest toward a detached stable.

We have a map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) for this area. I'm trying something a little different with this one - let me know if you have feedback!

[Untarr]

His breath smokes in the cold air. As if reminding him of his habbit, but the man does not submit to temptation.

Instead, he pulls out a flask. This one filled with a mysterious pink liquid with pieces of...something...floating inside of it. He pops the cork and drinks it quickly. A shudder runs down his spine and into his right foot.


http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/h/heightened-awareness

[roll0] Perception

Throwing the flask away, he reaches for another. "Oh boy. Been a while since I tried this." This flask is as black as night. As he takes the cork out, an abominable smell washes over the party. Erik mutters Gettin' too old for this sh** before drinking it quickly.

This time, it is not just a shutter. The man quickly places a piece of wood in between his teeth, and it is soon apparent why. His whole body tenses uncrontrollably. Veins pop out. Eyes widen. You hear the wood begin to snap. The whole episode takes less than a few seconds, but afterwards Erik looks....bestial. His eyebrows are just a bit bigger. Arms are leaner. Air seems more of a mess than it had been, maybe slightly longer.


Use Mutagen +4 Dex, -2 Wis, +2 NA

His ragged voice croaks...
"All right. Lets do this."

[Farmerbink]

Mick grins, and a small measure of tension- almost imperceptible in his step- melts away. The big man is obviously more comfortable around Erik after the transformation is complete. With nothing to say, the albino nods.

He drops into a crouch, his pale skin forming something of a natural camouflage in the wintry environment. His long, slow steps lead towards the wood pile, and he tries to peer in through a window.

[roll0] *crosses fingers for circumstantial bonus :smalleek:*
[roll1]

[MuffinMan]

As Mick creeps towards the woodpile, a discrepancy in the snow catches his eye and he suddenly freezes in place. Studying it more closely, he can make out the outline of a taught string or wire beneath the snow, leading back to a crossbow mounted on the porch and aimed in his direction! Attached to the crossbow with a piece of string is a precariously balanced assembly of pots and pans - tripping the wire would likely cause the crossbow to fire and the assembly to fall, alerting any bandits in the area.

[Farmerbink]

Mick growls and puts a hand out to the side- a nonverbal warning to those behind him. Carefully, he peers about the twine, trying to gauge its width and determine if any other threats are immediately present.
[roll0]
Satisfied that none exists, he carefully steps over the wire, and turns back to his allies, to point out the wire. Then, he continues his prowl towards the lodge.

If you want another stealth check, I'll let you roll it.

[MuffinMan]

As Mick carefully steps over the tripwire and slowly approaches the lodge, the combination of snowfall, frost, and fogged-up glass make it difficult to discern much through the windows. Still, the half-giant can discern the flickering light patterns of a large fire within, as well as the profile of a man in one of the eastern windows! Most likely a lookout of some sort, the figure gives no indication that it sees Mick creeping through the snow.

On the map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing), the human profile is in the window at X/7, while firelight comes from the windows at W/5, X/7, and X/9. Mick has made it to Y/3 and is safely concealed behind the well, for now.

[Farmerbink]

Mick points aggressively towards the nearer window, and places a big mitt over his eyes- as if to shade them from the sun. Hopefully, they'll get the point. Nearer, now to the lodge, he shifts his spear to his left hand, and pulls out a dagger.

Briefly, he peeks down the well, just to make sure there aren't any creepy faeries inside. Then he moves westward, attempting to approach a window further from the flickering firelight (at T-U/3).

[roll0]
[roll1]

[MuffinMan]

Mick creeps to the nearest unlit window, and the profile within the house makes no indication of having observed him. Mick also sees that the next two windows down the side of the lodge are also unlit. Emboldened by his success thus far, the big man moves carefully along the perimeter of the lodge, peeking into each window in turn. All are unlit, but Mick's keen eyes are able to pierce the darkness sufficiently to make out their contents. All appear to be unoccupied bedrooms.

A bed and chest sit across from one another in this small room. Two doors serve as exits (to the south and west), and a window looks out on the north side of the lodge.
Three doors open into this room. A sturdy bed heaped with blankets sits near the only window, and a large maple chest occupies the southwest corner.
A single rumpled bed covered by a worn winter blanket occupies this room.

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[Untarr]

Erik moves back into the trees and works his way over. He uses the brush as cover to shadow Mick as the large man investigates the unlit room.


I want to us the trees as cover, but still get closer to Mick.

Stealth [roll0]
Perception [roll1]

[MuffinMan]

Erik's efforts seem to be successful - at one point the sentry turns back, as if responding to someone within the room, but then returns to watching the snowy trail. His slumped shoulders and body language suggest immense boredom as Erik makes his way through the fringes of the forest to Mick's location.

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated

[JWallyR]

Sharvati's expression reveals her uneasiness with Erik's suddenly bestial appearance, and she pales even more at Mick's apparent comfort with it. As the two outdoorsmen confidently make their way toward the lodge, Sharvati looks down at her breastplate, and then at the mild shivering that persists in her knees before looking forlornly out to where Mick and Erik examine the lodge. The half-orc looks first at the treeline and then toward the window indicated by Mick as being likely to house a lookout, an appraising expression of concern dominating her angularly beautiful features. After several long seconds, the half-orc woman backs away toward the trail, making a wide circle around the area in an effort to rejoin her companions.

Perception along the way: [roll0]
Stealth: [roll1] lulz. Hoping to be far enough away slash enough trees in the way as to render this unnecessary, but you never know...

[Farmerbink]

One by one, Mick checks the unlit windows. As the first (T-U/3) slides open easily, he turns back to point at Erik. Hooking a thumb at the now-ajar window, he prowls further around the building. The next window resists his efforts, eliciting a scowl from the big man, but it would serve no purpose to lose his cool now. He moves one.

At the final window (O-P/2), his efforts are rewarded again by the quiet sliding of the pane upward. Bracing himself with both hands, Mick tries to climb through the window, face-first. Past the sill, he leans down to ease himself to the floor with his hands, like a cat climbing down a tree.

Climb check? I don't really know how high these are, but that's fine. [roll0]

[Untarr]

Erik shakes his head at the hand signals by the big man. Instead of going in a separate window, the alchemist follows Mick through his window. He waves Sharvati over before going in himself.


Follow Mick into the bedroom

[roll0] climb
[roll1] climb

[MuffinMan]

Mick and Erik make it through the western window without incident - the large man has to shift his bulk uncomfortably through the narrow opening, but the wiry alchemist crawls through like a cat in his "enhanced" state. Sharvati makes her way through the trees, mindful to keep her armor from rustling too much, and arrives at the edge of the treeline in time to see Erik's boot slipping through the open window.

Within the room is not much of note - a bed and single blanket occupy the corner, and a small chest filled with spare linens stands at its foot. The eastern door, to the center room, is locked, but the southern door opens freely. Peeking through, the PCs see what looks to be the lodge's trophy room: a large bearskin rug dominates the floor, and the heads of several deer have been mounted on the walls. The room is still and unlit, although sounds of conversation can be heard from two hallways to the east. To the southwest is the entryway to the lodge's main entrance, and a stairway to the second story runs down the room's southern wall.

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[Untarr]

Erik pulls out his cross bow in the room. With practiced hands, he presses a lever that drops a stack of five bolts from inside the grip of the crossbow onto his hand. With a nod of approval, he shoves them back in and turns a crank until the string is taut.

"Clear right first." Erik whispers before following Mick into the room.


[roll0] Stealth
[roll1] Perception

[Farmerbink]

Mick nods curtly. With his longspear in hand, he prowls to the nearest door to the right, and listens closely for several seconds before trying the latch.

Unless I'm mistaken, there's no reason we *can't* take a full round and get two perception checks- obviously, barring being pressed for time. I don't think we're pressed for time, so I'm gonna roll twice and let you decide how this plays out.
[roll0] stealth
[roll1] perception
[roll2] perception

[MuffinMan]

Mick discovers that the door to the western room is already slightly ajar - peering through the opening he sees what must be the lodge's kitchen area. A large fireplace takes up most of the north wall of this room, its radiant heat providing palpable relief from the cold weather outside. Cabinets and shelves line the remaining wall space, and four windows look out on the wintry landscape surrounding the lodge. The kitchen's sole occupant is a female half-orc, clad in leather armor and armed with a short sword, who is busily stirring a pot of something simmering above the fire.

It is at that moment that Erik's toe catches on the edge of the bearskin run in the dark. The sudden resistance almost trips him up, but with his heightened reflexes he is able to barely catch himself and keep his balance. Not, however, without emitting a quite audible *thud* as his heel plants hard on the wooden floorboards.

"I told you, it'll be ready when it's ready!!" the half-orc woman calls out in exasperated tone, not turning from the pot. Something in the ensuing silence pricks her senses, though, and her posture stiffens as she begins to turn towards the door. "Henson, is that you?"

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. (The half-orc woman is the red "T" at L/4.)

[Untarr]

"Tripped on the bear rug! Damn thing..."

Erik calls out in a rough voice. Grabbing Mick out of the doorway, he pushes him against the wall out of sight of the kitchen. Erik whispers to Mick "If she comes out, take her down quietly!"


[roll0] Bluff to strain his voice a bit like he just hurt something. Hopefully disguising it enough with pain that she wouldn't be able to tell whom it belonged to.

[JWallyR]

Sharvati freezes in her tracks just inside the window (after having painstakingly worked her way over the windowsill), silently scowling at Erik's tripping (and the dull thuds of her own booted feet as they reach the ground). She eases her morningstar out of its loop, looking questioningly (and concernedly) toward her two companions.

Dunno if you want a stealth check for getting in the room quietly... [roll0]

[Farmerbink]

Mick nods shortly, before throwing himself against the wall beside the door. He shifts the spear to one hand, to be more prepared to drop it away from himself and his quarry- and more prepared to grab her and silence her quickly.

[roll0] stealth, if need be
also, prepare an action to grapple, as soon as she's visible. Not sure what exactly to expect, but her being armed and ready for such an attack isn't what Mick expects.
[roll1]

[MuffinMan]

"What??" You hear the clink of something being set down and the sound of footsteps approaching the door. "Henson, you oaf!" the woman mutters exasperatedly as she approaches. "Are you alri-?"

Begin Surprise Round!

You got the drop on her, so you each have one move or standard action before true combat begins. Roll initiative and give your surprise round actions. The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated (the half-orc is the red "T" in N/6).

[Untarr]

Erik immediately dives at her legs.


Aid Another
[roll0] vs AC 10 if successful, give Mick +2 on his grapple.

Dismiss Heightened Awareness for +4 to initiative
[roll1] Initiative

[JWallyR]

Sharvati's face is a mixture of frustration and panic, as she hears the goings-on outside the door. She makes her way into the central room as quietly as she is able...

Initiative: [roll0]
Move action at half speed to avoid an additional penalty on her stealth check: [roll1]

By my math, this gets Sharvati as far as 5P. :\

[MuffinMan]

Surprise Round recap

Mick and Erik spring the ambush on the half-orc woman, but she proves too evasive - twisting away from Mick's grasp and jumping over Erik's tackle. She manages to land a solid punch on Mick's nose that makes his eyes water (1 nonlethal damage) before hollering out, "Help!!! Intruders in the kitchen!"

Mick: [roll0]

Erik: 15
Sharvati: 13
Ten-Penny: 11
Begin Round 1!

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated.

[JWallyR]

Spitting a curse and abandoning all pretense of stealth, Sharvati fumbles at her morningstar, loosing it from its loop as she advances into the room, glaring balefully at the other half-orc woman. "Well, you were gonna have a chance; now you get to go down with the rest of the brigands!"

Move action to retrieve morningstar 'cause level 1 :smallmad:
Move action to get anywhere useful (O7?).

AoO, if applicable:
Attack: [roll0]
CC: [roll1] for x2 on 22
Damage: [roll2]
Crit damage: [roll3]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 11/13, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Buckler (+6 Armor, +1 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

[Untarr]

"Shoulda just shot her in the first place..." Erik remarks as he takes a step back and aims Melissa at the half-orc cook.


5ft Step to (P,6)
Draw Crossbow
Attack Half-orc Cook with Crossbow

[roll0] (+5 Base + 1 PBS)
[roll1]

[Farmerbink]

Mick grunts in irritation, somehow seeming to agree with his allies without even a single syllable. Almost reflexively, his hand seeks out the handle of his axe. With a single fluid motion, he draws it up and out of its loop, sending the bladed head flying towards the half-orc with ruthless efficacy.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 11 / 13 (1 NL) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1


Move action to draw axe. Attack
[roll0] atk
[roll1] CC (25, x3)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

[MuffinMan]

Bandits: 21
Rhokar: 21
Erik: 15 <------ We are here, in round 2
Sharvati: 13
Ten-Penny: 11
Mick: 9

Round 1, 1.5 Recap

The cook's cry is like kicking an ant mound: there is the immediate scraping of benches and the sound of scuffling boots from the lodge's great room - the movements of several men, by the sound of it. "Get up, we're under attack!" a second voice cries out. Then there come the sounds of many weapons being drawn.

Erik steps back and sends a bolt into the cook's leg at point-bank range, eliciting a cry of rage and pain. Hearing the commotion from the great room, Sharvati moves to one side of the fireplace and sets her shield to block the foe's advance. The half-orc follows Erik's tactic, backing up into the kitchen and drawing a small crossbow, which she aims at Mick and fires - her aim is off, however, and the bolt sails over the half-giant's shoulder to *thud* harmlessly into the far wall of the lodge. Mick doesn't give her a second chance - his axe flicks out with uncanny speed at buries itself deep in the woman's neck. With a gurgle of surprise, she falls to the ground, dead.

At that moment the other bandits arrive, pouring around either side of the fireplace and quickly assessing the situation in the trophy room. One swings at axe at Sharvati, but she is ready and gets her shield up in time to block the blow. Two more advance on Erik, thinking the crossbow-wielding alchemist easy prey - with his heightened reflexes, though, he has little difficulty dodging their initial attacks.

Round 1
Bandits stand and retrieve weapons
Rhokar does something offscreen
Erik steps to P/6 and shoots Ten-Penny: 22 - hit for 4 dmg
Sharvati draws morningstar and steps to Q/5
Ten-Penny steps to N/5, draws hand crossbow, and shoots at Mick: 12 - miss
Mick steps to N/6 and critically hits Ten-Penny for 29, killing her

Round 2
Bandits move to their current positions on the map
B1 attacks Sharvati (AC 19): atk [roll0], cc [roll1], dmg [roll2], cdmg [roll3]
B2 attacks Erik (AC 20): atk [roll4], cc [roll5], dmg [roll6], cdmg [roll7]
B3 attacks Erik (AC 20): atk [roll8], cc [roll9], dmg [roll10], cdmg [roll11]
B4 and B5 ready shortbows
Rhokar does something offscreen

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. All of the bandits are using shortswords unless otherwise noted.

[Untarr]

"You'll have to do better than that you little sh***. Suck on this!" Erik takes a step back and with a deft movement produces a bomb in his hand. In a smooth motion, he chunks it into the group.


5-ft Step to P,5

Bomb
[roll0] (+5 Base +1 Throw Anything +1 PBS) vs AC 5
Target Grid Intersection (Q/R, 7/8)
6 Fire Damage

[Farmerbink]

Mick leaves his axe in the deceased woman's neck, and scoops up his dropped spear. With his suddenly improved reach, he lets Erik stand in the gap, while he harries the nearest bandit.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 11 / 13 (1 NL) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1


"drop axe," move action to pick up spear. Attack B3
[roll0] atk
[roll1] CC (25, x3)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

AoO?
[roll4] atk
[roll5] CC (25, x3)
[roll6] dmg
[roll7] crit bonus

[MuffinMan]

Bandits: 21
Rhokar: 21
Erik: 15 <------ We are here, in round 3
Sharvati: 13
Ten-Penny: 11
Mick: 9

Round 2 Recap

Erik steps back and tosses a bomb in the midst of bandits - the shrieks of pain and the sudden stench of burned flesh attest to its effectiveness. All of the burned bandits remain standing, although those without armor look to be at death's door. Mick kills the nearest bandit with a thrust of his spear. Sharvati counters the bandit assaulting her with a blow from her morningstar, but misses.

The bandits retaliate by rushing into the common room and swarming the group. Three charge at Mick - the first is impaled on his longspear, but the other two close to melee, and one scores a glancing blow along Mick's arm. Another attacks Eric, but the wiry alchemist again proves too evasive. The last bandit, though, creeps up and spies an opening in Sharvati's defense as she engages the bandits in the hallway - with a cry of triumph, he rushes in and drives his shortsword deep into her exposed flesh. Sharvati's vision dissipates into red and black as she collapses to the floor, unconscious.

Round 2
Erik steps to P/5 and bombs, hitting U2, U3, and B2 each for 6 damage
Mick attacks B3: 15 - hit for 10 dmg, killing B3
Sharvati (botted) attacks B1: 7 - miss

Round 3
B1 attacks Sharvati (AC 19): 10 - miss
B5 moves to attack Mick, but is killed by Mick's AoO for 12 dmg
B2 moves to Q/6 and attacks Sharvati (AC 19): confirmed crit for 13 dmg :smalleek:
U1 moves to P/6, attacks Erik (AC 20): 15 - miss
U2 moves to O/6, attacks Mick (AC 17): 21 - hit for 2 dmg
U3 moves to N/7, attack Mick (AC 17): 10 - miss

Rhokar does something offscreen

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Sharvati is currently at -2 HP and unconscious.

[Untarr]

"Hehehe...come get some!" The alchemist gets a gleam in his eye. "Teach you to team up with dem faeries!"

Stepping back again, this time into the room, Erik produces another bomb and tosses it at the clustered bandits.


5 ft step north
[roll0] vs Touch on U1
[roll1] Fire
6 Splash Fire Damage

[Farmerbink]

Mick's mouth falls slightly agape, as Sharvati crumbles under the weight of her injuries. The first approaching bandit wilts, pierced through by his long spear, as two of his comrades move forward to assault the brutish albino. In the blink of an eye, something snaps in Mick's expression. The fierce proclivity towards violence somehow becomes unchained, as if a truly feral animal peeked through the man's eyes.

With a roar, Mick slams his meaty feet to the ground, eliciting a tangible upheaval of the floorboards rippling away from him. As the force impacts the bandits swarming into the room, they struggle to remain standing.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 9 / 13 (1 NL) Speed ft Init 2
AC 17 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 3/4
Stomp: 1/1


Standard action to "stomp." (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/s/stomp) Using my 1 extra power point (from the racial ability, naturally psionic (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/races/half-giant), to enhance the damage to 2d4 nonlethal, in addition to knocking all affected opponents prone. Reflex save (DC 10) negates.

5-foot step to O/6, if the bandit there goes down

AoO?
[roll0] atk
[roll1] CC (25, x3)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

If someone closer than reach range triggers an AoO, make fisticuff punch for AoO instead (level 1 brawler for imp unarmed strike). Same attack roll, the following damage:
[roll4] damage
[roll5] crit bonus

[MuffinMan]

Bandits: 21
Rhokar: 21
Erik: 15 <------ We are here, in round 4
Sharvati: 13
Ten-Penny: 11
Mick: 9

Round 3 Recap

Erik steps back and lobs another bomb into the midst of the four bandits ahead of him: this time the two on either side fall and the others cry out in pain. Simultaneously Mick lets out a savage roar and stomps the wooden floorboards, hard, sending the bearskin rug tumbling away and shaking the dust from the rafters.

Several things happen next. One of the bandits is pitched hard to the floor and hits his head, falling unconscious. Outside the lodge, Cam hears the commotion and trumpets a call of alarm, beginning to move to his master's aid. Finally, with a loud *crack* the floor beneath the bandit in front of Erik gives way and he tumbles into darkness. A glance through the smoke reveals an open trapdoor that was concealed beneath the bearskin rug - damage from the bombs and stomp has been sufficient to open it.

The unarmored bandit by Mick, seeing four of his allies dispatched in a few short moments, loses his nerve and begins to run. The remaining two armored bandits step forward to attack with their shortswords: Erik's assailant misses, but Mick catches a nasty backstroke along his thigh that starts bleeding profusely. There is the sound of a door opening from upstairs.

Round 2
Erik steps to P/4 and bombs P/7, killing U2 and B2 and hitting U1 and U4 each for 6 damage
Mick stomps: U4 fails his reflex save and takes 4 nonlethal damage, knocking him out
Mick steps to O/6.
U1 passes the stomp save but fails another for the trapdoor: he falls taking 3 damage and killing him
Cam double-moves to X/7
Sharvati's stabilization attempt: 13 vs DC 12 - stable! :smallsmile:

Round 4
B1 moves to P/5 and attacks Erik (AC 20): 10 - miss
Mick's AoO: 7 - miss
B4 moves to O/5 and attacks Mick (AC 17): 22 - hit for 6 damage
U3 withdraws to O/14
Rhokar does something offscreen

You've heard the entire fight from the cellar, if a bit muffled, so you have a pretty good idea of what's going on. The bandit that just fell down the 10ft ladder was unarmored but carrying a shortsword and dagger. Roll initiative and give your round 4 actions!
The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Sharvati is stable at -2 HP.

[Untarr]

"Sharvati, blasted girl stop sleeping on the job!" Erik steps back again, pulls up Melissa to his shoulder and fires a bolt.


5 ft step north
Crossbow to the face for B1
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Farmerbink]

Mick starts, as the floor falls open, and the bandit falls into the hole. He smiles grimly, and turns to the two remaining threats. Wary of the nearer man's blade, the brawler slides into a defensive stance, before lashing out with a huge, meaty backhand.

Edricht Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
HP 3 / 13 (1 NL) Speed ft Init 2
AC 18 Fort 4 Ref 4 Will 3
CMB +5 BAB 1
Stomp 1/day DC 11 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Str 19 (4) Dex 14 (2) Con 14 (2) Wis 16 (3) Int 7 (-2) Cha 7 (-2)
Martial flexibility: 2/4
Stomp: 0/1


Move action: martial flexibility to pick up dodge: +1 AC
Standard action: unarmed strike

[roll0] atk
[roll1] CC (25, x3)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

[Albinobrow]

As the bandit crashes through the ceiling, she quickly moves from where she was listening with a shriek! She then inspects the body for any signs of life and grabs his dagger once satisfied he is unable to stop her. The she cautiously makes her way up the ladder mumbling to herself, About time somebody came for me...

Before climbing out she assessess the situation at hand.


Initiative [roll0]
While observing in this round if she can make an AoO with the dagger she will:
Attack [roll1]
CC [roll2]
Damage [roll3]

@MuffinMan can she cast while on the ladder? And does she have a standard action left in this round to cast something?

[MuffinMan]

Bandits: 21
Rhokar / skeletons: 21
Erik: 15 <------ We are here, in round 5
Sharvati: 13
Ten-Penny: 11
Argentea: 10
Mick / Cam: 9

You can potentially cast from the ladder, but you didn't have any actions left last round to do so. You're currently at the top of the ladder, in P/5
Round 4 Recap

Erik steps away from the the bandit attacking him and fires Melissa - the shot goes wide, though. A woman climbing up the ladder sees the bolt go whizzing by; she proceeds more cautiously and pokes her head through the trapdoor to look around. Mick dispatches another bandit with a strike of his massive fist. Cam slams his body against the lodge doors, knocking them open, and charges through the common area, scattering benches and dishes as he moves to rejoin his master.
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/c2bcd773-250c-4b6d-8299-0fe46cf78f62_zpsrtuhgyqg.png
The remaining bandit, recognizing Mick to be the bigger threat, turns and attacks with his shortsword, but misses. There is the sound of boots descending the staircase, but no visible source - then comes the sound of a man chanting very near to the trapdoor.
(+2 higher since the caster isn't visible)
These words are the incantation for the spell Death Knell (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/spells/deathKnell.html#death-knell)
Finally, two animated skeletons start to descend the staircase. They wield rusty scimitars and are lit from within by a pale blue light. Tendrils of frost roll off their bodies, and the air in the room becomes noticably colder in their presence. One swings his scimitar at Cam and connects with a glancing blow - the young mammoth bellows in more pain than expected for such a shallow cut.

These are skeletons (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary/skeleton.html#skeleton), although the cold aura marks these as somehow different.

(mechanically equivalent to the "Burning" variant)

Round 4
Erik steps to P/3 and attacks B1: 10 - miss
Argentea retrieves a dagger and climbs up the ladder to P/6
Mick attacks B4: 17 - hit for 7 damage, knocking out B4
Cam slams the doors open and moves to Q/8

Round 5
U3 runs into the stables
B1 attacks Mick (AC 17): 11 - miss
Rhokar moves... somewhere and casts... something :smalltongue:
S1 moves to P/9 and attacks Cam (AC 16): 18 - hit for 1 physical plus 4 cold damage
S2 moves to Q/9, can't reach anybody this round

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Sharvati is still stable at -2 HP.

[Albinobrow]

For those of you trying to save me that spell that was just cast is called Death Knell, and chances are whoever cast it is stronger now because of it. Also those skeletons are imbued with cold, because clearly it was getting too hot...

Staying low on the ladder, she turns her head to where the skeletons are standing and casts a spell causing the floor beneath them to glisten and get slick.


Spellcraft and knowledge religion check rolled in OOC forum. 23 and 13 respectively.
Then cast Grease in a 10ft square covering the bottom part of the stairs and the floor around it. Still posting from my phone so I'm not sure what spaces those are. DC15 reflex save to not fall prone. Cam might be under there too..
And if I get an AoO:
Attack with dagger [roll0]
CC [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[Farmerbink]

The skeletons are a threat in a moment- the bandit is a threat now. Out of concern for Sharvati, and confidence in Cam, Mick turns his focus on the still-standing bandit. He dodges aside from the bandit's blade, and pulls out his club. Then he lays into the bandit with it.

"Cam! Kill!"
Mick "Me" Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Male, Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
Level 1, Init 4, HP 3/13 (1 nonlethal not included), DR -, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 3, CMB +6, Base Attack Bonus +1
Stomp 1/day DC 10 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Leather Lamellar, Buckler (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +2 Dex, +1 Dodge)
Abilities Str 19, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 16, Cha 7
Martial flexibility: 2/4
Stomp: 0/1
MF (dodge): 9 rounds remaining


Move action: draw club
Standard action: club the bastard

Rolled OOC 'kuz I suck at life
atk 9
[roll] CC (25, x3) 10
[roll] dmg 9
[roll] crit bonus 10

Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930)
Elephant Animal Companion
HP 13 / 18 Speed ft Init 2
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Gore +3 (1d8+2, )
Slam +3 (1d6+2, )
Str 14 (2) Dex 14 (2) Con 13 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 7 (-2)
Cam will hopefully remain standing:[roll0] reflex
and gore a skeleton: [roll1] atk
[roll] 1d20+3 CC
[roll2] dmg (piercing D:)
[roll3] crit bonus

[Untarr]

"For those of you trying to save me that spell that was just cast is called Death Knell, and chances are whoever cast it is stronger now because of it. Also those skeletons are imbued with cold, because clearly it was getting too hot... "

"Really? Casting a spell made him stronger? I'm SOOO glad you're here to tell us these things. Dumb wench. Why don't you tell them something useful. Like, if the INVISIBLE WIZARD touches you, you're probably gonna die."

Erik fires Melissa again, this time before ducking through a few doors to get closer to Sharvati.


[roll0]
[roll1]

Move through the bedrooms to (R,5)

[MuffinMan]

Bandits: 21
Rhokar / skeletons: 21
Erik: 15 <------ We are here, in round 6
Sharvati: 13
Ten-Penny: 11
Argentea: 10
Mick / Cam: 9

Round 5 Recap

This time Erik's aim is true: Melissa's bolt flies straight into the belly of the remaining bandit, punching through his leather armor. The man gasps but remains standing. The woman makes a series of incantations and gestures: suddenly the surface of the staircase is covered in thick, oily grease! Cam's bulk assists him in steadying himself, and he remains upright, but both of the skeletons pitch over, collapsing to the ground in a rattle of bones. Mick draws his club and bashes at the bandit, but the man somehow twists away at the last instant. Cam tries to gore the skeleton in front of him - he misses, and the proximity to the unnatural creature seems to be sapping his vitality! The mammoth bellows in pain as the unearthly cold penetrates even his own thick fur.

From near Argentea comes the sound of paper unraveling and another series of incantations, then a voice:
"Idiots! I need the woman alive - kill the others!!!"
Near Argentea, the corpses of two slain bandits begin to stir, groaning and opening their eyes in a ghastly imitation of "life".
The spell was Animate Dead (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/spells/animateDead.html#animate-dead) (cast as a divine spell), and these are two zombies (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary/zombie.html#zombie).
At the staircase, the skeletons begin to rise - Cam intercepts the first with a mighty rush and slams it against the lodge wall, shattering wood and bone and leaving nothing but a pile of remains. The second makes it to its feet at steps forward to attack Cam with its scimitar, but misses.

Round 5
Erik shoots B1 for 4 damage and moves to R/5
Argentea casts Grease across P8/Q9 (DC 15):
-- Cam's reflex save was 20: pass
-- S1's reflex save was 8: fail
-- S2's reflex save was 14: fail
Mick attacks B1: 9 - miss
Cam attacks S1: 11 - miss
Cam takes 2 cold damage from S1's frost aura

Round 6
B1 attacks Mick (AC 17): 7 - miss
Rhokar casts... something
S1 stands up
-- Cam's AoO: 15 - hit for 10-5=5 damage, killing S1
S2 stands up, 5ft steps to P/9, and attacks Cam (AC 16): 14 - miss

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Sharvati is still stable at -2 HP. Both zombies are currently prone.

[Untarr]

Erik's face flashes with surprise as he yells, "Wench! Mick! Back off the bear rug!" The alchemist throws out his right hand and with a flick a flat glass container is deposited in it by a spring from inside his coat sleeve. "Suck on acid you necromantic bastard!" and with that...Erik throws the flask into the middle of the room.



Delay Action until after Cam Moves
Free Action - Activate Spring Loaded Flask
5 ft step to be on Shavarti
Attack vs AC 5 on Square (Auto Hit, I currently have a +7 to this attack))

6 Acid Splash Damage

Erik Armstrong (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628865)
M CG Alchemist, Level 1, Init 3, HP 9/9, Speed
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 0, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Repeating Crowssbow (Melissa) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus -1 (1d4-1, x2)
Bombs/Flask Throws +4 ((1d6+5/6 Splash), )
Masterwork Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 8
Condition None

[Farmerbink]

For a moment, Mick looks genuinely scared. As the dead literally rise all around the room, he finds himself face to face with the things of nightmare. He quickly regains his composure, as memories of bitter, baleful winter flood into his mind, and he turns on the nearest zombie with eager, hate-filled eye. "Cam!" The mammoth attacks. "Come!"

Mick "Me" Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Male, Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
Level 1, Init 4, HP 3/13 (1 nonlethal not included), DR -, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 3, CMB +6, Base Attack Bonus +1
Stomp 1/day DC 10 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Leather Lamellar, Buckler (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +2 Dex, +1 Dodge)
Abilities Str 19, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 16, Cha 7
Martial flexibility: 2/4
Stomp: 0/1
MF (dodge): 9 rounds remaining


Standard action: club the flanked zombie


[roll0] atk
[roll1] CC (27, x3)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930)
Elephant Animal Companion
HP 11 / 18 Speed ft Init 2
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Gore +3 (1d8+2, x2)
Slam +3 (1d6+2, x2)
Str 14 (2) Dex 14 (2) Con 13 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 7 (-2)

gore a zombie (Z2, if still alive), then move north.

: [roll4] atk
[roll5] CC
[roll6] dmg (piercing D:)
[roll7] crit bonus

[Albinobrow]

Argentea (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=734433)
Female NG Human School Savant Arcanist ( Foresight ) , Level 1, Init 9, HP 4/8, Speed 30
AC 13, Touch 13, Flat-footed 10, CMD 12, Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 2, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Acid Splash (-) +3 (1d3, x2)
(+3 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Argentea quickly scampers down the the ladder at Erik's words. STOP CALLING ME WENCH!!!


[roll0] Knowledge Religion
Move down ladder and as far away from the opening as possible.

[Untarr]

STOP CALLING ME WENCH!!!

"What else would you call a woman hanging out with 10 guys?! I can call you a whore if ya prefer! HAHAHAHAHA-OH!" Erik's laugh is interrupted by a duck to avoid a blow from the bandit.

[MuffinMan]

Bandits: 21
Rhokar / skeletons: 21
Sharvati: 13
Argentea: 10 <------ We are here, in round 7
Mick / Cam: 9
Erik: 8

Round 6 Recap

Argentea hurries back down the ladder to be out of the line of fire. Mick clubs a zombie and calls Cam to his side. As he turns to leave, though, a figure materializes out of the air behind him and thrusts a shortsword into his flank, eliciting a cry of pain. The blade is wielded by a rough-looking man in his late forties.
http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-28%20at%209.13.44%20AM_zps2eaxkouo.png Still, Cam makes it to Mick's side, and Erik retaliates with a flask of acid to the center of the room, splashing Rhokar and both zombies.

One of the zombies begins to rise, but the other lays still. The remaining skeleton steps forward and attacks Cam with his cutlass, but misses, just as the last bandit misses Mick with his shortsword. Rhokar casts another incantation: Mick feels his vision clouding with rage directed at- Cam?! - but manages to focus his will and shrug off the effect.
Mick was targeted with Murderous Command (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateMagic/spells/murderousCommand.html#murderous-command), but resisted

Round 6
Argentea moves down the ladder and takes cover
Mick attacks Z2: 24 - hits for 9-5=4 damage
Cam takes 2 damage from S2's cold aura
Cam attacks Z2 (4) but misses, and moves to O/7
S2's AoO on Cam (AC 16): 2 - miss
Rhokar's AoO on Cam (AC 16): 22 - hit for 6 damage plus greenblood oil (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/afflictions/poison/greenblood-oil)
Erik throws acid at Q/7, hitting Z1, Z2, and Rhokar for 6 damage each (killing Z2)

Round 7
Z1 stands up
S2 moves to P/8 and attacks Cam (AC 16): 5 - miss
R casts Murderous Command (DC 13) on Mick: Mick's Will Save 18 - pass
B1 attacks Mick (AC 17): 10 - miss

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Sharvati is still stable at -2 HP. Cam needs to make a save vs greenblood oil.

[Untarr]

"I knew it. I got more where that came from!" Erik flings out his left arm this time. A nearly identical spring spits out another flask into his left hand. With a heave, he throws it again in the middle of the room.


Attack Rhokar
[roll0] +5 Base + 1 PBS +1 TA
[roll1] + 6 Splash

[roll2] Spellcraft

[Albinobrow]

Argentea hears the breaking of glass and sees some acid trickle down into the basement.

Messiest rescue I have ever seen..

She decides to wait a bit to see if the coast is clear before making a break for it!


Delay action till after Erik throws another bomb. Then climb up and out getting behind Mick and Cam. If there is time for a standard throw an acid ball at Rhokar.

Attack [roll0]
CC [roll1]
Damage [roll2] acid damage

[Farmerbink]

With a glare, Mick points at the now visible magician. "Cam, Kill!" He turns his own attention to the still-standing bandit, unable to bypass the trapdoor.

Mick "Me" Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Male, Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
Level 1, Init 4, HP 3/13 (1 nonlethal not included), DR -, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 3, CMB +6, Base Attack Bonus +1
Stomp 1/day DC 10 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Leather Lamellar, Buckler (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +2 Dex, +1 Dodge)
Abilities Str 19, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 16, Cha 7
Martial flexibility: 2/4
Stomp: 0/1
MF (dodge): 7 rounds remaining


Standard action: club the bandit


[roll0] atk
[roll1] CC (25, x2)
[roll2] dmg
[roll3] crit bonus

Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930)
Elephant Animal Companion
HP 3/18 Speed ft Init 2
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Gore +3 (1d8+2, x2)
Slam +3 (1d6+2, x2)
Str 14 (2) Dex 14 (2) Con 13 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 7 (-2)

[roll4] fort vs DC 13, else -1 con
Gore Rhokar- no AoO, thanks to cover (preceding the movement)
[roll5] atk
[roll6] CC
[roll7] dmg
[roll8] crit bonus

[MuffinMan]

Round 7 Recap

Mick again tries to club the evasive bandit, but misses. Cam bellows at the bandit leader and lowers his head to charge, but suddenly falls to the floor with a groan - frost coating his tusks and fur speaking to the deadly effect of proximity to the skeleton (6 cold damage). In desperation, Erik hurls another flask of acid at Rhokar: it is a direct hit on the bandit leader and splashes both of his undead minions. They collapse to the ground with a groan and a burst of ice and bones, respectively, further injuring Cam (3 cold damage). Argentea waits until she hears the shattering of another flask before climbing the ladder and aiming an acid ray at Rhokar - the nearby bandit manages to nick her with his shortsword (2 damage) but she maintains her concentration and scores another blow on the leader. The shock of being struck by his own prisoner seems to be the final straw for the man - with a cry of pain he sinks to his knees on the floor, driving his shortsword into the floorboard to help himself stay upright.

"Wait, stop! Mercy - I surrender!!!"

The remaining bandit, seeing his leader defeated, turns tail and begins to dash for the open window. Mick's club finds him at last, though, and brains him on the back of the head, hard. The man falls and does not get up.

End of Combat!
Round 7
Argentea delays until after Erik
Mick attacks B1: 6 - miss
Cam takes 6 damage from S2's cold aura and falls unconscious at -3 HP.
Erik throws acid at Rhokar: hit for 6 plus 6 splash, killing Z1 and S2
- S2's "Icy Death" burst hits Cam for 3 damage. Cam's stabilization attempt: 13 vs DC 16 - fail, tick to -7
Argentea climbs the ladder and hits Rhokar with acid ray for 1 damage
- B1's AoO: 15 - hit for 2 damage
- Argentea's concentration check: 16 - pass

Round 8
Rhokar surrenders
B1 tries to flee out the northern window to O/2
- Mick's AoO: 15 - hit for 8 damage, killing B1

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Sharvati is unconscious and stable at -2 HP. Cam is unconscious and dying at -7 HP. Rhokar is at 1 HP (and only conscious from the Death Knell (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/spells/deathKnell.html#death-knell) buff).

[Untarr]

Erik walks upto the man and presses the crossbow point onto the man's forehead. Voice flat, almost dry sounding, he glares at the man as he speaks. "Give me or tell me where a Cure Light Wounds Potion is in the next three seconds or I'm going to pull this trigger."

[Farmerbink]

As the fighting suddenly dies down, Mick dives to Cam's aid. Without a word, he pulls a small bundle of cloth and herbs from his pack, and tries to put a halt to the Mammoth's bleeding.

Mick "Me" Ornsson (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=628370)
Male, Half-giant Brawler (wild child) NG
Level 1, Init 4, HP 3/13 (1 nonlethal not included), DR -, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 3, CMB +6, Base Attack Bonus +1
Stomp 1/day DC 10 reflex or prone (2d4 nonlethal, )
Unarmed strike +5 (1d8+4, x2)
Longspear +5 (2d6+6, x3)
Hand axe +5 (1d8+4, x3)
Club +5/+3 (1d8+4, x2)
Dagger +5/+3 (1d6+4, 19-20, x2)
Leather Lamellar, Buckler (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +2 Dex, +1 Dodge)
Abilities Str 19, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 16, Cha 7
Martial flexibility: 2/4
Stomp: 0/1
MF (dodge): 7 rounds remaining

Cam (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636930)
Elephant Animal Companion
HP -7/18 Speed ft Init 2
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Gore +3 (1d8+2, x2)
Slam +3 (1d6+2, x2)
Str 14 (2) Dex 14 (2) Con 13 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 2 (-4) Cha 7 (-2)

heal vs DC 15
[roll]1d20-6 vs DC 10

[Untarr]

"wait!" Erik's face twists to one side as his eyes squint in concentration. His eyes widen. "MORON!" He slaps himself in the head. Turning back to the surrendered man "Move and die."

Erik runs over to where Shavarti is unconcious. "Hold on girl, just hold on." He goes through her robe and finds what he is looking for. "AH HA! I knew it..." Pointing the wand at the woman, nothing happens. "What?! Blasted thing come on, how hard could it be if a friggin orc can do it?" He jabs the wand into her side again. Closing his eyes, his breathing steadies for just a moment before the wand comes alight and Shavarti's wounds start to close.


[roll0] Using one charge of cure light wounds

[JWallyR]

Sharvati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=636461)
F CG Half-Orc Oracle (Winter, Chilled, Seeker), Level 1, Init 1, HP 4/13, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, CMD 13, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar Melee (1d8+2, x2)
Sling Ranged (1d4+2, x2)
Masterwork Masterwork Dagger Melee (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Breastplate, Buckler (+6 Armor, +1 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 19
Condition None

Sharvati's eyes open, and the half-orc squints into the hallway as though pained. "What hap-" The words die on her lips as her vision clears enough to see Mick kneeling at the side of his mammoth companion. "Oh, no! I've got to-" The half-orc pulls herself woodenly to her feet, and she stumps through the tangle of broken bodies toward the fallen mammoth.

Cure Light Wounds from personal spell store: [roll0]

This is assuming that the intent is for Cam to survive, and not die to make way for Mick to go Barb. Otherwise, dramatize the moment and etc.

[MuffinMan]

The trophy room of the lodge is like a scene from a nightmare: blood, scorch marks, and acid burns smear the floors, walls, and even the ceiling. The bodies of the dead or dying lay strewn about and the sudden silence is deafening in the aftermath of the battle. As for the leader of the bandits himself, Rhokar sits quietly after surrendering his weapon, trying to staunch his own wounds as the party recuperates.
You notice Rhokar moving slightly to conceal a small wooden disc in the folds of his cloak.
Among the dying is Cam. The young mammoth lies still in a spreading pool of his own blood, frost still coating his face and tusks. Mick's effect to staunch the bleeding prove ineffective - Rhokar's thrust was deep and seems to have punctured a lung. Around the wound the mammoth's flesh has taken on a malevolent greenish tinge - evidence that the blade carried more than steel. Mick can only look on helplessly as his truest companion quietly slips away...


Sharvati's eyes open, and the half-orc squints into the hallway as though pained. "What hap-" The words die on her lips as her vision clears enough to see Mick kneeling at the side of his mammoth companion. "Oh, no! I've got to-" The half-orc pulls herself woodenly to her feet, and she stumps through the tangle of broken bodies toward the fallen mammoth.

Cam gives a last, violent shudder as Sharvati approaches, then lies still. The woman's magic proves ineffective - there is no spark of life left to coax back into flame. A dark silence again descends on the lodge - on Mick and Sharvati kneeling by Cam's side, on Rhokar glaring and reeling from his wounds, and on Erik and Argentea watching - and around them all, devastation.

Welcome to Level 2!

As I've mentioned in chat, everyone gets a free "retrain" at this point now that we have more familiarity with the characters (and are adding a new party member). Feel free to swap out skills, feats, even different archetypes if they're closer to what you want to play. Chat with me if you want to do anything larger than that - I've already OK'd FarmerBink's plan to change to a different martial class.

JWallyR, if you wanted to investigate a more caster-centric archetype for Sharvati, e.g. a re-fluffed version of the Ancient Lorekeeper (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advancedRaceGuide/coreRaces/elves.html#ancient-lorekeeper-(oracle)) (using the Racial Heritage (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advancedPlayersGuide/advancedFeats.html#racial-heritage) feat to unlock it), now'd be the time.

HP-wise, we have to make a decision as a group. I'm considering two different approaches:

A) The standard approach. You either roll for HP every level or take 1/2 your HD every level. If you take half, you alternate rounding up/down. (So a d8 would give you 5hp, 4hp, 5hp, 4hp...)

B) Everyone gets max HP at every level. If we choose this option, I'd apply it to the bad guys, too, so it's not a straight buff. But it might alleviate some of the "rocket-tag" nature of PF combat if everyone had a little more staying power.

Sound off in OOC or chat about which of A or B you prefer, and we'll go with the majority vote.
You haven't searched the lodge yet - this is just from all of the enemies.

From the armored & unarmored bandits:
9 shortswords
5 shortbows
100 arrows
5 padded armor
5 bucklers
40gp
25 sp

From the half-orc cook:
elixir of hiding
potion of invisibility
potion of pass without trace
potion of spider climb
tanglefoot bag
leather armor
dagger
masterwork hand crossbow
12 bolts
short sword
climber's kit
crowbar
grappling hook
masterwork thieves' tools
silk rope (50 ft)
28gp
a key

From Rhokar:
2 oil of taggit
masterwork studded leather
dagger
light crossbow
10 bolts
masterwork short sword
cloak of the yeti (see below)
masterwork thieves' tools
ring of keys
spellbook
15gp

alarm
chill touch
expeditious retreat
feather fall
identify
locate object
ray of enfeeblement

PRICE 4,000 GP
SLOT shoulders
CL 3rd
WEIGHT 5 lbs.
AURA faint abjuration

This heavy cloak is crafted from shaggy white yeti fur. When the cloak’s hood is pulled up over the wearer’s head, it takes on a semblance of its arctic namesake’s fearsome visage. Northern warriors value its ability to ward against the chill of winter, as well as the protection it provides in combat. The cloak of the yeti provides a constant endure elements effect in cold weather (it has no
effect in hot weather). In battle, the cloak wraps around the wearer, granting a +1 natural armor bonus. In addition, with the hood drawn over the wearer’s head, the cloak grants a +2 competence bonus on Intimidate skill checks.

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
COST 2,000 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, barkskin, cause fear, endure elements


I have NOT yet updated the loot sheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing). If anyone else gets to it before me, feel free.

[Untarr]

Erik slowly pulls out a white coffin nail with his right hand. Placing it in his mouth, he hides the other end with a palm. A few flashes later and a cloud of smoke begins to circulate the room. Breathing in the death, Erik sighs heavily while his eyes ponder the scene.

"What a ****ing mess." Erik approaches the man and squats down in front of the man. "Now is the time of asking questions and getting answers." Grabbing the man's spellbook, he flips through a few pages before tossing it aside. The book skids next to Mick.

"As you have probably realized, you are up sh** creek without a paddle. I'm not gonna promise you anything. But, the waters could be a little less rough if you manage to explain this little venture of yours."


Why did he kidnap the woman?
Does he know anything about the snow?"

[roll0] if above 7, ask about the disk

[MuffinMan]

"Why kidnap the woman?" Erik asks bluntly.

Rhokar scowls at the alchemist, but is in no condition to resist more than that. "They made me - Knotten and that ice b****, Izoze. I don't know why they wanted her - why do fairies do anything?! - but they said no killing her and no ransoming her. They wanted her alive for some reason. It wasn't my idea - I've been against them from the beginning!"

You get the sense that Rhokar is speaky truthfully, but is holding back something.

"We're gonna need details. Be specific." Erik menacingly exhales a cloud of smoke in Rhokar's face, causing the other man's eyes to water. "Who are 'Knotten' and 'Izoze', how are they making you, and what do you know about this damned snow?"

"Izoze's one of those cold fey, and a mean one at that." Rhokar grimaces. "Small, leathery blue skin, flies around with little wings and horns. And she'd skin you as soon as look at you."
The creature he is describing sounds like a mephit (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/bestiary/mephit.html#mephit).
"Teb Knotten is something else - not fey, I don't think. Bigger. I haven't seen him, but he calls the shots and the others are scared of him. It all started a few weeks ago - those fey and their pet freaks started pouring out of the center of the woods, and the cold came with them. They caught me and my men by surprise and said 'obey or die' - we had no choice! But," Rhokar leans in and whispers conspiratorially, "that b**** Izoze doesn't know that I've got one of them locked up upstairs. Been questioning him, trying to learn more about their weaknesses. I'll show you - I want them stopped just like you!"

"See how smooth this goes when you play along?" Erik drawls, standing up. "One more thing..." Quick as a flash, the alchemist reaches back in Rhokar's cloak and withdraws a small wooden disc the man had been trying to conceal. "Mind telling us what this us?"
http://pathfinderwiki.com/mediawiki/images/3/34/Norgorber_holy_symbol.jpg
This is the holy symbol of Norgorber (http://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Norgorber), the NE god of secrets, poison, and murder.
Rhokar's eyes go wide and his face pales at the sight of the disc, and he clams up, unwilling to say more.

[Untarr]

"So you are telling me, you've questioned that fey you got upstairs and still haven't figured out why they want the girl?" Erik squints his eyes skeptically. "Maybe you just aren't cut out for interrogation." He says with a shrug of his shoulders.

After the man clams up about the disk, Erik shrugs. "You heading down a painful route." He takes a drag and turns his head to Argentea." What say you? Do you know how you fit in all this?"


[roll0] Religion

[MuffinMan]

You've met Izoze yourself, and she's every bit as venemous and spiteful as Rhokar describes. You've heard the name "Teb Knotten" as well, and that he seems to be their leader. And, you've heard anecdotes of extremely dangerous creatures in the middle of the wood, where the cold weather seems to be emanating from. Thus fa, Rhokar's story checks out with what you know yourself.

Also, amongst your belongings is a purse of 500gp. You'll find it when you retrieve the rest of you gear and may do with it as you wish.

[Albinobrow]

Sense Motive [roll0]
Knowledge Planes [roll1]
Knowledge Religion [roll2]


Argentea is watching Rhokar from across the room, unknowingly pacing back and forth and is startled when addressed. I've heard about all of that: the creatures that bring the cold, Teb Knottem the one that leads them. I've actually met Izoze. She's an Ice Mephit and yes quite the beast. Nothing he has said is wrong. I didn't know about his other prisoner upstairs. But as for how I fit in all of this, I'm not sure. I just assumed wrong place wrong time. To be fair no one expected any winter weather right now during our travels either.

O, and that wooden disc you're holding is actually the unholy symbol of Norgorber, an evil god of thievery, assassination, and secrets.

She finally steps up to Rhokar, Where are my belongings?

[MuffinMan]

The bandit leader grunts and seems to crumple even further as Argentea reveals his secret, growing weaker by the minute as the magic bolstering him begins to wane. "Upstairs." he answers dully. "That's where the fairy is, too - locked in a storeroom. That's the key." He nods to one of the keys removed from his person by Erik. "Well, if you were gonna kill me you'd have done it already - right?"

The map (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1nFdWnOgPnm0fPepBeelQ1hCXWRRmXkkLvyXwO69UykU/edit?usp=sharing) is updated - it has a picture of the upstairs room in the bottom-right corner.

[Untarr]

"Well, if you were gonna kill me you'd have done it already - right?"

Erik looks at Rhokar. Then at Cam. "Sure." he says with a shrug of his shoulders.

Using a lever, he pops out a small wooden box from the bottom of Melissa. Pulling a similar box out from his back pocket, you see the tip of a crossbow bolt sticking out. The bolt head has an unusual blue hue.

You yourself would recognize its resemblance to an ammo clip.

Placing it in the bottom, he cranks a lever a few times before heading upstairs with the key.



Once there, he knocks on the door of the storeroom. "Hello?!"

[Albinobrow]

Erik looks at Rhokar. Then at Cam. "Sure." he says with a shrug of his shoulders.

Using a lever, he pops out a small wooden box from the bottom of Melissa. Pulling a similar box out from his back pocket, you see the tip of a crossbow bolt sticking out. The bolt head has an unusual blue hue.

Placing it in the bottom, he cranks a lever a few times before heading upstairs with the key.



Once there, he knocks on the door of the storeroom. "Hello?!"


Argentea lets out a shocked gasp at seeing the weapons capabilities. After Erik leaves she looks at him and back to Rhokar, back and forth between the two. Then after much deliberation sure quickly walks up to Rhokar staring him down and slaps him hard across the face! That was for kidnapping me. She then quietly follows Erik upstairs, rubbing the palm of her hand and grimacing.

[JWallyR]

Sharvati looks up to see Erik and Argentea leaving, her stunned expression and tear-filled eyes panning from them, to Rohkar, and then to Mick. A sorrowful concern fills her eyes as they take in the big, but almost childlike man's apparent denial of the mammoth cub's death. Her gaze returns to Rohkar, and a baleful anger enters them. "If you want to live to see the sun rise tomorrow, I think you're gonna have to get far enough away that he-" the half-orc woman tilts her head toward Mick, "doesn't think it worth his while to hunt down the killer of his oldest friend. Might be good to start before he remembers that you're still here."

[MuffinMan]

Rhokar remains silent as Erik and Argentea move upstairs, his eyes fixed warily on Mick. At Sharvati's words he starts, but then rises to a half-crouch and begins edging towards the back door of the lodge. His gaze keeps flitting downwards to the weapons of the dispatched bandits, with the air of a man contemplating a desperate gambit...


Erik and Argentea walk up the stairs to fix the lodge's planning room. An L-shaped table with many chairs takes up most of the floor space in this loft. A second smaller table sits near the entrance, and several windows look over the snowy grounds of the lodge. In the southwest corner, a large map hangs on the wall, opposite another door in the northeast wall. It doesn't take long to deduce that this must be the storeroom Rhokar mentioned: dozens of small boxes, bottles, and papers fill this musty enclosure. A small iron cage sits on the top shelf, emanating a flickering light like that of a candle. As the PCs approach, the light glows brighter and a small, tinny voice comes from the cage:

"Oh good sir, kind lady, thank heavens you've arrived! Please, please, help Vrixx! Vrixx has been locked up for so long. Please, release us!"

This is what you find when searching the lodge, not counting the bandits' equipment I've described in a previous post:
- Argentea's starting gear
- Argentea's coin purse of 500gp
- 3 scrolls of lesser animate dead (2HD)
- 2 doses of greenblood oil (a type of poison)
- small lockbox with 25pp, 150gp, 180sp, and a blue quartz "ice diamond" worth 100gp
- 3 oils of magic weapon
- 10 flasks of alchemists' fire

I have NOT yet updated the loot sheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing). I'll try to update with the bandits' gear and the treasure tonight or tomorrow, but if someone else has cycles feel free to do it.

[Farmerbink]

..."Might be good to start before he remembers that you're still here."

Almost as if on queue, Mick's sorrowful expression turns sour. As Rhokar begins to prowl away, a deep rumble echoes from albino. Mick turns slowly, a cry of rage building slowly in his throat. "You. KILLED! CAM!!" With an explosive leap, Mick pounces on the injured bandit. With a roar more bestial than human, Mick grabs the weakened man and throws him against the wall. Unable or uninterested in containing his ire, Mick follows. He bodily lifts the fallen man against another wall, before closing his fists and repeated pummeling the man.

Within a few savage moments, Rhokar lies dead, his body almost unrecognizable. Unable to contain his grief, with the cause now deceased, Mick falls against the wall in the corner. He crawls to Cam's side, and collapses in a bloody heap, sobbing uncontrollably into the mammoth's still flank.

It looks like the upstairs business is under control, for the moment. I'm going to work on essentially remaking Mick's sheet. I'll post it here, shortly.

[Albinobrow]

"Oh good sir, kind lady, thank heavens you've arrived! Please, please, help Vrixx! Vrixx has been locked up for so long. Please, release us!"
]

Argentea searches the room for her belongings, all but ignoring the locked up creature, though something does pique her interest.

Us?

[Untarr]

He keeps his ear next to the door, listening intently to the new voice through it. Simultaneously with Argentea, he responds with "Us?"

Shaking his head, he talks through the door. "Ok Vrixx, here's the deal. I don't know who or what you are. And now I don't know how many of you are in there. Put yourself against the back wall, sitting on the ground with all limbs visible. Once you've done that, I'm going to open this door. If I open it, and you ain't there, I'm gonna have to shoot you. As of right now, I'd rather not do that. But, st** happens."


[roll0] to tell what is going on in that storeroom, and if there could be more than one.

[MuffinMan]

"Please, please! Poor Vrixx is locked in this cage, and no harm to anyone! Please, won't the kind lady let us out? It is so dark, and so hot in this place!" The voice and luminosity are coming from a small iron cage perched atop one of the shelves in the storeroom. Bringing it down reveals a diminutive sprite locked behind wrought-iron bars - of the same sort Argentea recognizes from the caravan ambush. This one looks to be sickly and diminished, though, his light flickering weakly in the dim storeroom. "Master and Lady must have defeated the wicked bandits - oh, clever you! Now, one of them must have had the key to this cage - did you find it?" The fey's eyes shine greedily at the prospect of release.

[JWallyR]

"You. KILLED! CAM!!"

Sharvati flinches away from the sudden noise, and she watches Mick approach the man with grim satisfaction. Her expression melts into one of shock and horror at the sheer brutality with which the large man demolishes the object of his ire. Then, as abruptly as the man exploded into action, he collapses, and Sharvati's shock and horror fade into apprehensive confusion as he crawls toward his dead companion. She gently reaches out to rest a hand on the big man's heaving shoulder, but says nothing.

[Untarr]

Sounds of shouts and screaming from downstairs interupt what Erik is about to say. He listens silently as the monstrous man exacts vengeance for his fallen comrade. In the meantime, the cigarette goes out. He stamps it out and immediately lights another.

At the conclusion of the noise, he sighs. "Saw that coming. Man loved that thing."

Looking back at the fairy, Erik's face goes flat. "I'll let you go. But I need you to answer some questions. Before we start, I want you to promise me that you will answer them truthfully and without holding back information deliberately. In exchange, I will promise to free you irregardless of your answers once all my questions have been answered."

[MuffinMan]

"Questions???" The sprite hesitates before Erik, a look of even greater fear in his eyes. "Yes, yes, Drixx will answer your questions, and then you let us out? Please, hurry - it is so hot in here!"

You get the sense that Vrixx is just saying what you want to hear - he doesn't actually intend to reveal anything about the fey or their plans.

[Albinobrow]

For heaven's sake, let the poor creature out already. She then notices her belongings. Wait a moment! She flips through her spell book real quick and skims over one of the pages.

Ok. Now let the poor creature out.


Grab all my things, and spend an Arcane point from my reservoir to trade Grease for Abundant Ammunition. Ready action to cast on "Melissa" should Drixx try to escape or betray us in some way.

[Untarr]

Eric grabs Argentea's hands. His grip is firm, and hands coarse. "You touch this crossbow and it will be the last thing you ever do." Erik's face is a storm and stare withering. After a moment he releases her hand.

"And no, we are not letting him out. As soon as we let him out, he is as good as gone. If a sprite wants to get away, it will."

He turns to the captured fairy. "Do not test me. I already hate your kind enough to leave you in there for the rest of eternity and not bat an eye. What is going on with this snow?"

[MuffinMan]

"Bad man! Stupid man!" The sprite's demeanor changes in an instant on hearing Erik's firm stance against letting him. "Drixx has powerful friends, oh yes! If you don't let us out now, they'll hear of it, yes! Maybe they start with the eyes, oh yes, pluck them out and maybe freezing them and putting them back in! And then they start on the rest of you-!..." The sprite continues in a near-incoherent rant, interspersing curses in Sylvan and Common as he promises increasingly dire threats against the party if they don't let him out immediately. You get the feeling that reasoning with a fey as deranged as this would be pointless.

[Untarr]

"If you have powerful friends, how in the hell do you expect for them to know you are in trouble if you can't get out of the cage? You're a sprite. You don't possess the magic for long range communication, otherwise, you'd have been rescued by now."

Erik stares at the wailing creature. "Answer my questions to my satisfaction, or stay in this cage forever. Its that simple. If you do not stop your incessant rambling, I will hide you in a hole so deep that no one will ever find you."

[MuffinMan]

The diminutive fey only glares hatefully at Eric and continues its tirade, promising torture upon torture to the PCs if they don't release him immediately.

He won't talk - he's written in the AP as being more afraid of what will happen to him if he does than if he doesn't!

At this point you can either return to Heldren to sell loot and resupply, or you can press on towards the center of the forest and the source of the mysterious winter weather. Discuss and let me know what you decide!

[JWallyR]

In the comparative stillness of Mick's subsiding sobs, Sharvati ***** her head, hearing the third tiny voice from upstairs. Giving the giant man's shoulders one last, comforting squeeze, the half-orc pulls herself to her feet and shuffles her way up the stairs. "What's all the racke- oh. This must be the guest that worthless brute was talking about." After listening to the stream of threats and profanities, the half-orc gives the pixie a sour look. "You know what? I've heard that roast pixie has a rare flavor. Sure, you gotta slow cook 'em for hours to get the wings juuuuuuust right, but this joker ain't much use to us 'cept as a snack. While it's cookin', we can draw lots to see who gets the first bite!" The half-orc grins hungrily at the caged pest.

Intimidate: [roll0]

[MuffinMan]

Nothing but more curses threats in fey and Common emanate from the sprites' cage; you think it wisest to leave it to its fate, or to put it out of its misery for good.


Once the sprite is dealt with, the group turns its attention to the contents of the planning room itself. Strewn about the table are various pieces of parchment contain Rhokar's hastily scrawled notes. His penmanship is lacking, but you can tell they are accounts of his various interactions with the fey. Argentea's name appear's several times in the notes, usually not far from another word - "replacement".

A large map takes up most of the wall space in the room's southwest corner. On it are various pins and notes in the same handwriting - Rhokar's schemes of the best ambush locations, from the look of them. The position of the lodge itself is marked prominently, as well as - something - in the very center of the wood...

The lodge is location "I". The "something" in the center of the wood is location "P". (Don't worry about the others :smallwink:)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah159/MuffinMan02/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-19%20at%208.54.09%20PM_zpsh1yuqi7j.png

I missed two rooms' worth of loot that you would have found, now that you have the necessary keys:

healer's kit (5/10 uses remaining)
25 sp
potion of lesser restoration
gold ingot engraved with Taldan royal seal (worth 50gp)
stolen spyglass
silver lady's ring (worth 25gp)
leather riding boots of elven make (worth 15gp)
silver dagger with a hidden compartment of small centipede poison (1 dose)
scroll of endure elements
two scrolls of magic weapon
scroll of unseen servant

The loot sheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) is updated. Make any final preparations or actions before returning to Heldren, and I'll plan to push us forward tomorrow.

[Farmerbink]

Mick struggles, and largely fails, to regain his composure. As his companions busy themselves collecting the valuables, Mick sobs weakly. Finally, after several minutes of hysterics, the huge man begins calmly collecting as many pieces of wooden furniture and bedding as he can, in a large pile in the middle room. If asked, he says simply, "My people make pyres."

Before long it becomes apparent that Mick's idea of appropriate burial is to bring the entire building down in flames.

[JWallyR]

Sharvati shrugs noncommittally at the pixie's ongoing stream of obscenities. "Suit yourself. Hope you like your little home there... you might be there awhile."

After rummaging through the untidy mess that appears to have constituted a headquarters, Sharvati looks over the papers with Erik and Argentea. "Looks like we got here right in time. Seems they were looking to replace Your Ladyship with a decoy somehow, though gods only know why. And I wonder what's so special about this point?" The half-orc jabs a delicate fingertip at the marked spot near the center of the woods. "All this fey nonsense. Makes a girl's head spin."

[Untarr]

Coming down the stairs, Erik stops at the sight of the now dead wizard. With a shrug of his shoulders he begins his search and clean up.


"My people make pyres."

"Fire is good. It cleanses the soul. Purifies the heart."

[MuffinMan]

After plundering anything useful from the lodge and healing their wounds as best the can, the party reassembles on the porch of the lodge. Vrixx, the malevolent sprite, remains locked in his cage upstairs. The snow has started to fall again, and Argentea wraps herself tightly in a winter blanket taken from one of the bedrooms. Mick stands silently clenching and unclenching his fists, tears in his eyes as he stares blankly at the ground ahead. Sharvati makes final adjustments to the makeshift packs carrying the bandits' weapons, then rises and softly says a few words for the souls of the departed. Erik waits untill she finishes, then flicks the butt of his cigarette through the lodge's open door. The glowing ember ignites a vial of alchemists' fire poured over Mick's pyre. As the party begins to march back to Heldren they hear a great crackling of wood and smell of smoke - the High Sentinel lodge stands amid roaring flames behind them, fitting testament to the events of the day.


Part Two: The Depths of Winter

The party finds themselves unmolested on the road back to Heldren - a day and a half later they are walking back into the town outskirts. The silhouette of a man spots their approach and calls something back behind him - a few minutes later a man comes walking down the road to meet them, leaning on a cane and limping heavily. It is Yuln, the caravan guard, and while he's still heavily injured it seems his wounds have been healing nicely under Tessaraea Willowbark's care. He salutes as you approach:

"Lady Argentea! Thank the gods you're alright! And you lot - by the gods themselves, you did it! Are you hurt? Are you well? Come, come on to the Stoat with me and let me buy the heroes a round! I want to hear everything!"

Re-familiarize yourself with Heldren (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20101215&postcount=1), and check out the updated party post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20101222&postcount=2)! We'll do the final loot (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPHJ53A521Q8Ik91-YQaHjA1Ztv_-JHYXZpbo1ErXvo/edit?usp=sharing) sell-off and cash split tomorrow - go ahead and purchase any mundane items you want (up to masterwork quality), and RP your return to Heldren. In a day or two, it will be time for you to return to the Border Wood and discover the mysterious origin of the wintry weather...