Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

[Toptomcat]

Minh
Of course. Not a magical threat- a mundane distraction to draw attention from beings similarly sized to the little bundles.

Minh's hands blur into a fluid repetition of the pressure-point kata he displayed earlier- his long practice showing in how he compresses the motion into an instant before launching himself forward, powering his way through the snowdrifts towards the incongruously tiny threat. They've chosen their battlefield well, and he judges there to be little point trying to get close enough to attack with a spear: adjusting his grip to free up his dominant hand, he reaches into the opposite arm's sleeve and retrieves a dart to fling at the sprite above him- the motion smooth and powerful, swiftly snapping at the waist and shoulder to propel the weapon, but the cold is numbing and this is not his forte...

Spoiler: OOC

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Enter Poisoner's Stance as a swift action. Unready spear, keeping it held in off hand (losing Armament Shield AC bonus and ability to threaten in non-reach squares with a pseudo-shield bash.) Single move two squares south and one east: BAB +1 permits also drawing a weapon with that movement. Draw wushu dart and throw at Shor with Iron Fang strike. Range increment 10' and I'm 25' away by my reckoning, so -4 range penalty. Attack (1d20+0)[13], damage (1d3+5)[8] + (2d6)[8]

[lostsole31]

R1T21: Of course. Not a magical threat- a mundane distraction to draw attention from beings similarly sized to the little bundles, Minh thinks to himself. His hands blur into a fluid repetition of the pressure-point kata he displayed earlier- his long practice showing in how he compresses the motion into an instant before launching himself forward, powering his way through the snowdrifts towards the incongruously tiny threat. They've chosen their battlefield well, and he judges there to be little point trying to get close enough to attack with a spear: adjusting his grip to free up his dominant hand, he reaches into the opposite arm's sleeve and retrieves a dart to fling at the sprite above him- the motion smooth and powerful, swiftly snapping at the waist and shoulder to propel the weapon, but the cold is numbing and this is not his forte as his dart goes sailing past.

R1T20: The little sprite that just had a dart thrown at it now is fully revealed as it brazenly shoots at Minh, hitting him in the head with a tiny arrow for 1.

R1T19: Drina, you are staggered from the numbing cold of that tiny arrow (so only a MA or a SA, not both nor a FRA/FAA). What do you do? It costs 2 squares to move in this snow.

[Kvard51]

Drina performs an incantation and motions towards the fey creature. A silver bolt of force flies from her index finger and unerringly strike both sprites.

Spoiler: Actions

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SA: Cast Magic Missile with one missile targeting each dark sprite for Pym:(1d4+1)[4] & Shor:(1d4+1)[5] force damage

[lostsole31]

R1T19: Drina performs an incantation and motions towards the fey creature. A silver bolt of force flies from her index finger and unerringly strike both sprites. The one to the east gets struck for 4 force, and the one to the south gets hit for 5 force.

R1T18: Griss, what do you do? The snow is difficult terrain (2 squares to move).

[jss1701]

Griss takes a few steps toward the imps, "Is that all ya got?"
He then releases a vortex of light at each of them.

Spoiler

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Swift: transfer 1 pt of essence from Aura of the Adaptable to the Star Metal Bracers, bumping his cold resistence to 8.
Attack: (1d20+5)[11] for (2d8)[10]
(1d20+5)[25] for (2d8)[8]

[jss1701]

Spoiler

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Severity (1d20)[5]
extra damage (2d6)[7]

[lostsole31]

R1T18: Griss takes a few steps toward the imps, shouting "Is that all ya got?"as he then releases a vortex of light at each of them. The first one misses the one to the east. But the second one gets hit with a soft crit for 16 light! The little sprite gets blown off the branch and falls below to the snow for 1 (lethal) + 4 NL.

R1T17: The sprite to the east takes a shot at the darker (and newer) of the Darkhelms, missing.

R1T16: Karina sends a long a sense of emptathic concern to Isolde, and then closes right to her position.

R1T14: The third assailant that was unseen was able to reposition behind the party, and lets loose with a magical riot of light!

Isolde, roll a Will save!

[lostsole31]

R1T14: The third assailant that was unseen was able to reposition behind the party, and lets loose with a magical riot of light! Nothing appears to happen, however, and those caught in the effect (Isolde, her crow Karina, and Darkhelm II) seem annoyed.

R1T10: Tenzei, what do you do? The snow is difficult terrain.

Isolde on deck, Amanu in the hole ...

[Denomar]

Huffing and puffing like an overly taxed farm animal Tenzei waddles through the snow to at least be in range of assisting his companions. Wishing perhaps that he possessed snow shoes like the indigenous people had once worn whom he had seen on the long trek across the Aganpei. Keeping to the traditional forms whilst in hip deep snow was slow going, that's for sure.

"Warm my heart Qi Zhong!" Tenzei's prayer flows into words that are more akin to growls and the sounds of ancient echoing bells. Tenzei's throat glows from within, a merry red.

Spoiler: ooc

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Swift Action: Activate Dragon Style
Move Action: One square to North East (10 ft of movement), three squares North (30 ft of movement) This move should place Tenzei in the square to the northwest of Drina.
Standard Action: Cast Firebelly

[lostsole31]

R1T10: Huffing and puffing like an overly taxed farm animal Tenzei waddles through the snow to at least be in range of assisting his companions. Wishing perhaps that he possessed snow shoes like the indigenous people had once worn whom he had seen on the long trek across the Aganpei. Keeping to the traditional forms whilst in hip deep snow was slow going, that's for sure.

"Warm my heart, Qi Zhong!" Tenzei's prayer flows into words that are more akin to growls and the sounds of ancient echoing bells. Tenzei's throat glows from within, a merry red.

R1T9: Isolde moves through the snow more deftly than anyone else. Back with arcane power, she looks to the sprite up in the tree and shouts, "Fall!"

She turns around, "Karina, kill the one that tried to ensorcel us. Everyone else, concentrate fire on the rear one before attacking the one in the tree, for my magicks are irresistible."

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T27: Amanu, what do you do?

Darkhelm(s) on deck, Minh in the hole ...

[Ostoril]

Amanu levels his musket with the creature next to Darkhelm, with no one in his line of fire he lets off a shot and quickly reloads.

Spoiler: Crunch

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[Standard] Risky Strike Musket Shot. (1d20+8)[23] vs touch. Coordinated shot for +1 if ally threatens or +2 if ally flanks. +1 point blank shot. For (1d12+2)[10] bludgeoning. +1 Point blank shot.
[Move] Fast Musket Deed and Rapid Reload to reload as a move action.

[lostsole31]

R2T27: Amanu levels his musket with the creature next to Darkhelm, with no one in his line of fire he lets off a shot that hits the sprite for 9 mod before quickly reloading. Amanu notices he doesn't quite feel the bite of the wintry cold anymore.

R2T23: Darkhelm moves around the north side of the sprite Amanu hit, conjures a lash of lightning, which is dodged by the fey. It is less successful at dodging the stray bolt of lightning that hits it for 6 electricity. False Darkhelm doesn't do anything.

R2T21: Minh, you are in poisoner's stance. You no longer feel the bite of winter for some reason. The areas in the gray circles are in dim light from dark clouds above. What do you do?

Drina on deck, Griss in the hole ...

[lostsole31]

R2T21: Minh strides purposefully through the snow, focusing on infusing the wushu dart he draws with negative chi before throwing it at the eastern opponent. His dart strikes the small sprite in the head 4 mod + staggered + 2 WIS. That sprite is looking really woozy.

R2T19: Drina, you are no longer staggered. You also notice that the cold of the environment doesn't bite so much like it had before.

Griss on deck, Pym in the hole ...

[Kvard51]

Drina chooses to repeat her previous attack, firing force darts from her fingers with one dart for each sprite.

Spoiler: Magic Missile

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SA: Magic Missile (1d4+1)[5] (1d4+1)[5] force damage to each sprite.

[lostsole31]

R2T19: Drina chooses to repeat her previous attack, firing force darts from her fingers with one dart for each sprite, each one getting hit for 5 force. The one to the east falls out of the tree and into a drift of snow.

R2T18: Griss, only one sprite is active - the one to the north. What do you do? Remember it costs 2 sq. of movement per sq. traveled.

Karina on deck, sprite in the hole ...

[jss1701]

Once again, Griss lashes out with a vortex of light.

Spoiler: attack

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(1d20+5)[20] hitting the imp for (2d8)[8]

[lostsole31]

R2T18: Once again, Griss lashes out with a vortex of light, hitting the imp for 9 light, knocking the sprite back and onto the ground. It is not moving.

R2T16: Karina hops into the next square, pushing the unmoving fey around with its beak.

R2T10: Tenzei, all enemies appear to be down. You are in dragon style, and firebelly is providing you with a good spicy sweat. What do you do?

Isolde on deck, Amanu in the hole ...

[Denomar]

Tenzei will give a mighty Thumbs Up! A victory indeed!

He will enjoy the toasty feeling of firebelly while it lasts.

[lostsole31]

R2T10: Tenzei will give a mighty Thumbs Up! A victory indeed! He will enjoy the toasty feeling of firebelly while it lasts.

R2T9: "Filthy monster," says Isolde as she takes out her dagger and stabs the one near her for 1 mod.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T27: Amanu, what do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Minh in the hole ...

[Ostoril]

Amanu takes a moment to scan the surroundings for any other threats or observers before he lowers his guard.

Spoiler: Crunch

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Make an assessment of the surroundings to look for any other creatures.
If no threats found, lower his musket
If a threat found, point it out and ready his musket in case the creature approaches in an obviously aggressive manner such as teeth or weapons ready to strike.

[lostsole31]

R3T27: Amanu takes a moment to scan the surroundings for any other threats or observers before he lowers his guard.

R3T23: Darkhelm stands there, holding out her arms upwards, and the dark clouds above quickly dissipate. The "false" Darkhelm winks out of view.

Spoiler: Darkhelm >>> Everyone

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"There is no need to kill for killing's sake. That is what they wanted when they attacked. We should not be sharing so ignoble a goal."

She reaches down and shoos away the raven while attempting an untrained heal check to stabilize the sprite near her.

Spoiler: Darkhelm>>>ALCON (Means "All Concerned," i.e., Everyone in Range)

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"I believe I have succeeded in stabilizing this one."

R3T21: Minh, what do you do?

Drina on deck, Griss in the hole, Tenzei delaying ...

[lostsole31]

R3T21: Minh just observes the argument. Honestly, it was nothing to him to take the life of those that attacked him, but he didn't feel strongly about it either way so he delays....

R3T19: Drina, what do you do now that you are having that first "moral quandary" in the party?

Griss on deck, Karina in the hole, Minh/ Tenzei delaying ...

[Kvard51]

Drina considers Amanu's words and finds she agrees with the strange woman. "that sounds reasonable, but let us disarm the sprite and bind her, in case she wakes up still intent on causing mischief. I have twine in my pack, or thread. Do you prefer searching her or tying her up?"

[lostsole31]

R3T19: Drina considers Amanu's words and finds she agrees with the strange woman. "That sounds reasonable, but let us disarm the sprite and bind her, in case she wakes up still intent on causing mischief. I have twine in my pack, or thread. Do you prefer searching her or tying her up?"

R3T18: Griss, what do you do?

Karina on deck, Isolde in the hole, Minh/Tenzei delaying ...

[jss1701]

"I'll search her while you get your twine out." And Griss proceeds to do just that, cautiously, just in case the sprite wakes up.

[lostsole31]

R3T18: "I'll search her while you get your twine out." And Griss proceeds to do just that, cautiously, just in case the sprite wakes up, tactically choosing the one that Isolde is murderously standing over to throw her off her game. It turns out this sprite likely presents as a "him/he" rather than a "she/her," for whatever that means in the lands of fey. So, there is a short sword and a shortbow size appropriately (18 arrows remain), and it wears diaphanous clothing. Its largest possession is a pouch that is worn like a knapsack, that has several gold coins in it.

Combat Ends ...

As you gather everything up, you will find that each of these sprites (two male, one female) are tough, as all three of them happened to be able to self-stabilize. Each of them has 14 gold coins, for a total of 42 gold coins among them.

One point of annoyance is that Drina might have had twine at one point, but she ran out ... and all she has left are string (which is smaller and lighter) and thread. She has to use all 50' of her string to securely bind all three comatose sprites.

Now what?

[Denomar]

Tenzei will do his best to assess the injuries of the group. Should anyone require medical attention than they will certainly take his attention. This place seems so hostile, and not just the weather either. There was a menace present upon the air like a cold and calculating predator. Tenzei looks around to see whether the group has come under attack again and decides that his intuition is in fact wrong and he is merely suffering hallucinations from the biting cold.

"I was beginning to believe this place does not like me. I am not sure if these lands are capable of that though. Do we press on?"

[lostsole31]

"I feel something in me that I never felt before," comes Darkhelm's telepathy to the group. "This battle has made me sense things I have never sensed before. I can almost feel the warmth that has protected me all my life flow from me and cover the rest of you, but I'm not quite powerful enough to include Isolde's raven as well."

If you haven't noticed it by now, all of you realize that what she says is true ... you no longer feel the bite of winter. You "sense" that it is cold, but are not chilled by it.

The winter witch says, "No matter, because you won't have to worry about that anymore. Oh, it is an impressive feat, no doubt. But your feeble intellects have proven to me that you don't have what it takes to make hard choices. You saved the lives of fey creatures who have made a pact with evil and taken a shard of ice into their hearts because you think the act is more important than the consequence. What now? You saved them. Now what?

"Oh, don't bother answering me, because I do not care to hear your insipid spiritual platitudes. This 'compassion' for life will kill you, but I will not let it kill me as well. Farewell to you all, and enjoy your ignominy."

If you do not stop her, Isolde will turn around and leave, with Karina following her.

[jss1701]

"Well, *that* happened." Griss muses. "While her knowledge of what we're apparently heading into would be useful, I can't say I would really *want* someone with so little regard for the group watching my back."

"Still, she brings up a good point. What are we gonna do with these little creeps?"

[Ostoril]

Amanu relaxes his musket across his shoulder. "Those who don't concern themselves with life, or even look down on it make poor allies. While I wouldn't have gone out of my way to save these lives, you put us in no harm saving them. If nothing else they might have valuable knowledge, though dragging them along with us would be rather awkward. I would rather not waste valuable spells right now to wake them. Unless one of you wishes to, I would suggest tying them to a tree and fetching them on our return."