Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

[Rilem]

Ten-Penny plods ahead to examine what — if anything — was left of the skeletons. "Are these the same things as in the lodge? More sentries?"

[lostsole31]

The party gathers, huddling over the blasted remains.

The historians of the group .... which seem to primarily be Lady Argentea, assisted by Darkhelm ... determined from the blasted chain, shield, scimitars, and garb ....were in style some 200 years ago. This was the general sight of military action from Qadirans against Taldor, and the time speaks to the obvious skeleton. They were just wandering about, not guarding any particular area. The consensus seems to be that whenever somebody was nearby using necromantic power, some excess bled into the ground where these poor soldier's bodies had lain. But at least now, their bodies are at rest.

What now?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram looks for any tracks and considers his knowledge of the local area. "If the magic bled into the ground, I don't imagine it traveled that far, or else we would likely see more of them. Are you historians familiar with any big battles or grave sites in the area?"

Spoiler: Crunch

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Search for tracks
Knowledge check if Moorgram knows of any areas nearby that the bodies might have come from

[lostsole31]

You still easily see the snowed-over-but-too-deep-to-hide tracks likely left by Rohkar and his thugs before, so the party has an easytime of it. These skeletons seemed to just be wandering, and instinctively following the deep tracks. What the historians already said about the area means that battles in the Border Wood were widespread ... not a single "battlefield."

[Ostoril]

Moorgram sighs. "Yes, yes Gingey. Not much to be done." He swings his axe and points toward the path of the tracks. "No time to rest, that bastard is getting away, an my boot's itching to kick his ass." Moorgram resumes following the trail.

[Rilem]

Ten-Penny gives a small shrug in agreement and beckons Arthog, following the tracks deeper into the cold wood.

[lostsole31]

"Which 'illegitimate child' would that be of whom you speak, Moorgram?" asks Lady Argentea as the group gathers back into formation and continues along the trail.

[Ostoril]

"This Rohkar or whoever else is responsible for all..." Moorgram waves around. "This!"

[lostsole31]

"Rohkar Cindren was just a pawn. A cheap murderer and bandit leader who was in league with fey. It is an unknown general that controls whatever makes this winter; an unknown warlord that directs the fey," says Lady Argentea. "Rohkar and his men are dead."

The skeletons were met just across the bridge and about a hundred yards away from the bridge. This time, however, the party trudges through the snow through the snowy forest of High Ridge as it heads westwards. After awhile, you get to a point where the rocks and snow along this part of the ridge are stained a reddish brown, and many tracks, both animal and human, cross the area.

The party finds a mutilated corpse laying half-buried in the snow. Looking over the tracks that go to-and-from the corpse, Darkhelm mentally confirms with Ten-Penny before she tepes "aloud" to the party, and likely makes Moorgram tumble to the ground in shock, for this is the first time in their brief association that Darkhelm so telepathized with Moogram, a strange, feminine voice in his mind, *<"I recognize his remains. He was Dryden Kepp. He was one of Heldren's more esteemed hunters, and he recently returned fomr a trip to the Border Wood with a story about a giant white weasel roaming the forest. The townsfolk scoffed at his tale (Dryden was known to nip from his hip flask on a regular basis), which only spurred Dryden to leave Heldren to hunt down his white weasel to make a trophy of it to prove everyone wrong. Well, Ten-Penny and I have confirmed that the tracks belong to a giant weasel.">*

The party searches the body. Aside from his bloody (but stll usable) cold-weather clothing, he also wears a pair of homemade snowshoes. Though his shortbow is snapped in half, two arrows of fine make remain in his quiver. Assuming those with detect magic do so, Drina finds that Moorgram is her senior at understanding the nuances of magical auras. He notes that the (2) arrows have an aura of moderate conjuration. Further study again shows that Moorgram is now elevated to "team identifier" as his knowledge of magical items exceeds that of Drina's own, and both arrows are animal-bane arrows.

Darkhelm also finds Dryden's bloodstained pack lying half-covered by a fresh dusting of snow nearby. it holds (3) days of trail rations, a half-full hip flask of apple jack, and a journal detailing his efforts in tracking the giant weasel.

Does the party take a few minutes to skim through the journal, or keep moving? If so, where do you go?

[Ostoril]

"Then whatever bastard is responsible for all this." Moorgram scoffs.

After examining the items he looks to the others. "Any of you able to make GOOD use of these?" He says holding up the arrows. "Looks like this fellow wasn't. Maybe that book can tell us what he did wrong."

[Rilem]

"Rohkar and his men are dead."

Ten-Penny turns her head at that remark. ”Oh, that’s my fault, I guess,” she says carelessly. When I said he was gone, I wasn’t sure if you were with his crew or not.”

She nods at the journal. This weasel of his got the drop on him, and he was ready for it. Better we know at least much as he did. ‘Sides, if he knew the territory so well, he may be seen something useful.”

Spoiler: ooc

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Examine the journal

[lostsole31]

It only takes about 10 minutes to skim through it for any salient information. The journal mentions the bear traps he set at the head of Somir Valley (with a description of what to look for once you get near), as well as his discovery a strange hut nearby and an even stranger doll inside it (no location given).

[Rilem]

The bit about the hut was interesting. ”So there’s a place to get out of the cold if we need it,” Ten-Penny says. “If we’re stuck as for a direction, that’s as good as any.”

[Kvard51]

Drina nods at Ten-Penny, "I agree. I say we head for the Somir Valley."

[Denomar]

Tenzei has been sullenly pacing after the group for the entire time but has spent his time mostly silent. He breaks this silence now. "I am not sure what we are looking for. I cannot very well punch a snow storm."

[lostsole31]

"We are not tourists!" Lady Argentea says, also a little short. "Our quarry have given us a trail. Let us not go off that trail looking for huts and dolls."

She huts her horse, and takes the lead, heading along the trail

What do the rest of you do?

[Rilem]

Ten-Penny eyes the trail ahead and hauls up her pack, beckoning Arthog to follow, and turns to the others as Lady Argentea departs. 'Course, she'll be able to run a lot faster than the rest of us if things go bad," she says. "If we get separated, a strange hut's better than freezing to death. But watch your step."" She does her best to explain where the Somir Valley might be, using the journal as a guide,hoping that the knowledge wouldn't be needed.

Spoiler: ooc

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I'm Good with sticking on the main trail

[Ostoril]

"Agreed." Moorgram nods, hefting his axe across his shoulder and following after Lady Argentea. "Only children play with dolls." He says as he breaths deeply through his nose and gives it a good rub.

[lostsole31]

The party continues west along the ridgetop. A cold wind blows through the forest atop the ridge. Heavy snow burdens the boughs of the evergreen trees, but someone has apparently cleared the snow from a large patch of ground to dig in the pine-needle-carpeted soil.

[Denomar]

Tenzei inhales a good sniff. Pine needles do have an alluring smell.

[Rilem]

Ten-Penny looks confused. "If that's a trap … where's the rest of it?" she asks. "And who dug out the snow? That should be freshly fallen."

As they approach, she scans the snow around the clearing for signs of pitfalls or other dangers, in case the carpet of pine needles was meant as a distraction from the real danger.

[lostsole31]

As Ten-Penny searches, she notes that the turned earth was not because of something external, but internal. Then, she sees one of the roots of this small tree move slightly.

Begin Surprise Round!

S24: Ten-Penny, you look up to see the small (Medium-sized) fir tree looking down at you with a malicious smile!! What do you do?

[Rilem]

She keeps her face impassive, as if looking at just another tree, and makes a motion as though pass on by. But her hand closes on the hilt of her sword.

"Stay sharp, crew," she says nonchalantly.

Spoiler: Action

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Serves me right for not having sword out.

Action: Feint nearest tree-thing, if applicable, spend 1 Guile pt (3 left). (1d20+12)[26]
(presumably there's some negative modifier as I doubt this thing's humanoid)

[lostsole31]

S24: She keeps her face impassive, as if looking at just another tree, and makes a motion as though pass on by. But her hand closes on the hilt of her sword. "Stay sharp, crew," she says nonchalantly.

S23: Tenzei, what do you do?

[Denomar]

"I shall do my best, but I am rounder than I would like." Tenzei deadpans. He moves to Ten-Penny's side and whispers. "What do you see?"

[lostsole31]

S23: Tenzei moves to Ten-Penny's side and whispers, "I shall do .."

S22: "Have a care!" shouts Lady Argentea as she closes with spear and shield ready on her horse.

S21: Darkhelm's warning is heard telepathically, <"Keep back!"> even as the sky darkens around the party, and sparks and ash fall from above. She directs one particular dense ball of ash to strike the tree towards the back, successfully hitting it for 2 mod + 4 mod fire.

S17-16: Red animates and swings a branchy fist at Arthog, and Blue trudges through the snow, its roots ripping out of the ground like so many wood-tentacled pseudopods.

S9: Moorgram, what do you do?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram snarls and moves towards the moving trees, hefting his axe into his hands.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move "North West" 2 squares diagonally and drawing axe. (assuming still difficult terrain in this snow? if not move a third square diagonally.) Also assuming this is still the surprise round.

[lostsole31]

S9: Moorgram snarls and moves towards the moving trees, hefting his axe into his hands. He wanted to go northwest, but Lady Argentea's horse's rump is in the way.

S7: Arthog aroos angrily and bites at the tree in front of him for 9.

S6: Gingey flits around on Moorgram's head, delaying but ready to fly away if directed...

Begin Round One ...

R1T24: Red recovers from having been feinted by Ten-Penny. Ten-Penny, it's on now. What do you do?

Tenzei on deck, Lady Argentea in the hole ...

[Rilem]

"Good boy!" Ten-Penny cries as Arthog bites one of the attacking trees. She draws her sword and stabs at its companion.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move: Draw short sword

Standard: Risky Attack on Red Tree (1d20+6)[9] for (1d6+6)[12]

Crit if needed (1d20)[11]

[lostsole31]

R1T24: "Good boy!" Ten-Penny cries as Arthog bites one of the attacking trees. She draws her sword and stabs at its companion, but completely misses.

R1T23: Tenzei, what do you do?

Lady Argentea on deck ...