Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

[lostsole31]

"If you wait a minute, Isolde." says Minh, "I will escort you safely back to Heldren. I know you think us a bunch of idiots, but nobody should be out here by themselves."

He looks to the party. "Of course, I'm not coming back out here alone. So I will wait for your word in Heldren. Good luck out there, and may the gods watch over you all."

And with that, Minh and Isolde (and Karina) both leave.

EDIT: Min turns back around, unclasps the scabbard and baldric, and lets drop the Ulfen guard's cold iron longsword. "It would be unfair of me to hold onto this."

Who claims Yuln Oerstag's longsword, and intends to use it to kill at least one fey beastie in honor of the Skald man's bravery (and gift)?

[Denomar]

With each step Minh takes away from the group. Tenzei feels as if a little part of him is leaving, the dragon's coils loosen and the sensation of oneness that came with the Life Link slowly fades. Tenzei sighs then turns to regard the broken creatures which had attacked the group.

"I say, they have suffered enough. They attacked us and were defeated. When they awaken they will understand they have been shown mercy and will surely change their ways."

[lostsole31]

Darkhelm tepes to the group, <"I didn't even like tying them up, unless we were going to take them with us. Leave them their weapons. They are in critical condition, but I have bound their wounds. Should they wake, they may survive as best they can. If not, then not. But prisoners makes us too responsible in that regard. And murder is no good. But it is an affront to even Sarenrae to expend her gifts of healing upon the evil in most cases.">

Darkhelm unties the sprites. <"I am sorry to see Minh go, but I could have done without the arrogant woman. If there are no objections, I shall take the burden of honor upon myself to take this sword.>"

She looks at the sword before putting it in its scabbard in the baldric around her waist. <"Minh didn't mention, but this is a cold iron longsword, forged with the intent and ability to harm the fey folk.">

Is the party ready to continue following the tracks from here?

[lostsole31]

The heroes, such as you are, continue onwards. After awhile, a narrow game trail winds its way through the trees and undergrowth here. Hoofprints mark the underlying snow, leading in both directions. The party sees, coming from a connecting point on this game trail, a stag. The stag doesn't run away, nor approach, nor show signs of hostility, but does look at the party.

Begin Round One (until it is determined initiative is not needed) ...

R1T27: Drina, you are not in combat. This is a first-contact situation that could be tense, so initiative is noted unless or until either combat does begin, or is determined to not be needed. You are the first one who may respond. Note that the elk is 80' from you.

[Kvard51]

Drina raises her hand and takes an unbidden step towards the stag. "What a beautiful creature.", she says in a whisper. "We should wait for him to pass.", she says quietly to the others.

[lostsole31]

R1T27: Drina raises her hand and takes an unbidden step towards the stag. "What a beautiful creature.", she says in a whisper. "We should wait for him to pass.", she says quietly to the others.

R1T26: Tenzei, what do you do?

[Denomar]

What a fascinating beast! Tenzei is tempted for a moment to spread his hands and wave at the beast in the universal sign for 'hello beast' but he catches himself. Regarding the snowy ground he finds himself blissfully wishing that he had paid more attention to the horse-master from his youth, for riding this creature would certainly make traversing the packed snow easier. Then again....Tenzei regards the branching antlers with trepidation, his lessons on horseback riding may not be terribly applicable to that thing. Regarding its fur and heaving flanks on the other hand does bring up another idea and Tenzei's stomach gently rumbles. Out of the corner of his mouth Tenzei inquires of the group. "Do we require more supplies?"

[lostsole31]

R1T26: What a fascinating beast! Tenzei is tempted for a moment to spread his hands and wave at the beast in the universal sign for "Hello, beast!" but he catches himself. Regarding the snowy ground he finds himself blissfully wishing that he had paid more attention to the horse-master from his youth, for riding this creature would certainly make traversing the packed snow easier. Then again....Tenzei regards the branching antlers with trepidation, his lessons on horseback riding may not be terribly applicable to that thing. Regarding its fur and heaving flanks on the other hand does bring up another idea and Tenzei's stomach gently rumbles. Out of the corner of his mouth Tenzei inquires of the group. "Do we require more supplies?"

R1T21: Darkhelm trudges through the snow to move forward a little.

Spoiler: Darkhelm >>> Group

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"We might. Normally, elk is as good a game as any. But as we live near Heldren, where an elk that actually regards you is possible some type of sacred messenger of Erastil, perhaps we should see what transpires."

The elk seems to be quietly regarding the group, unafraid.

R1T17: Amanu, musket is in hand and loaded. No combat is currently happening with this brush with nature. Truly, your own acceptance of the philosophy of red-in-tooth-and-claw feels slightly blunted as you sense something otherworldly about this encounter, for surely most stags would have sensed the predatory nature that are in humanoids and run off. What do you do?

[Ostoril]

Amanu smiles as he lets his musket rest non threateningly against his shoulder while gesturing slowly with his off hand. With a warm and soft voice he addresses the creature more so than his companions. "Ah. What a wonderful blessing this is. Truly, if nature did not walk with us, such a magnificent beast would not deem us worthy of his grace." Amanu searches his memories for stories of such encounters as he walks calmly toward the creature, ready to halt if it grows uncomfortable with his approach.

[lostsole31]

R1T17: Amanu smiles as he lets his musket rest non threateningly against his shoulder while gesturing slowly with his off hand. With a warm and soft voice he addresses the creature more so than his companions. "Ah. What a wonderful blessing this is. Truly, if nature did not walk with us, such a magnificent beast would not deem us worthy of his grace." Amanu searches his memories for stories of such encounters as he walks calmly toward the creature, ready to halt if it grows uncomfortable with his approach.

R1T16: The elk's ears perk up as Amanu speaks to it, and it starts to calmly and comfortably walk forward in the snow towards the party. But the party really gets the weird when the elk speaks! "Thank you, fellow traveler, and good travels may you have. Unseasonable weather we are having, wouldn't you say? Though not nearly as uncommon as those who would treat respectfully with me, no doubt. Tell me, what brings you so deep into the ensorcelled Border Wood?"

R1T8: Griss, you may go.

[jss1701]

As Griss slowly approaches the elk, he will reply to it's question. "We follow in the path of some evildoers, in order to 'chastise' them. Along the way, perhaps we can get some clue as to why Winter is giving us a visit early this year."

[lostsole31]

Initiative Ends ...

The elk closes as well so as not to shout, but maintains a respectful 10' standoff from the lead person (who is now Griss). "I don't know from evil the way you might, for my experiences are different than yours. Yet you would tarry to determine the cause of Nature's misprision against her charges. Who are you, one and all, that I might try to clear your way of my friends whose confusion leads them to paths of anger?"

[Denomar]

"I am Tenzei, who walks in the shadow of the dragon of life."

Tenzei swiftly pushes images of deer stew from his mind.

[lostsole31]

"A curious name, but your features are not like most of the Taldans, where are you from, Ten's Eye?"

[Denomar]

"I hail from far to east, from lands beyond the Agan Pei. Where it is not often so cold this time of year. Or so I believe. The walk took an awful long time."

[jss1701]

[not to interrupt Tenzi, but once he has finished introducing himself...]

"I am known as Griss deJim. A wandering catfolk from west of here. It's a pleasure to meet you."

[lostsole31]

"Griss Day-Gym, may the sun warm you on the mirror of the snow," says the elk. "And then we have a human woman and two strange creatures....."

[Ostoril]

"I am Amanu, humble servant of nature." He bows to the creature. "My people hail from far away, and I have wandered far following the call of nature. Do you have a name, that we might address you properly?"

[lostsole31]

"I am Fawfein," the elk says, his neck lifting high and showing off his 12-point rack. "Who are you, lady? You like those that travel the roads, living their lives in wagons."

[Kvard51]

"Drina! I am Drina, and yes. I am am of the Wanderers. I am flattered that you have made note of my people.", Drina says. "I am very pleased to meet you Fawfein."

[lostsole31]

"I am honored, Wanderer Drina," says Fawfein.

Darkhelm moves up some, and her telepathy is heard by all. <"How come your mouth doesn't move when you speak?">

"I am a magical talking stag."

Darkhelm answers as she moves up to Griss. <"And I am a nature worshiper of Sarenrae. I don't know about spells. I was never trained in such matters, but I know that even magic has a rule. The means by which sound comes out of your voice and is 'heard' is different from my own 'telepathy. But I do know that magic doesn't completely subvert the rules of nature, but merely co-opts them.'">

"I do not know how I am or came to be, but I speak. Is that not enough?"

<"The other thing I noticed, now that I am standing nearby you?">

"Yes? What's that?"

Lightning forms in Darkhelm's right hand, coiling around and she throws reaches out to lash the stag for 8 electricity as if holding a whip of electriity. <"I smell the fey riding you, probably using magic to give you a 'voice,' and your meat will taste good by our warm campfire tonight.">

Begin Round One ...

R1T27: Drina, what do you do?

[Kvard51]

Drina, having come to trust her fellow follower of Sarenrae, draws colored sand from the pouch at her belt and hurls it toward Fawfein while voicing arcane syllables.

Spoiler: Action:

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SA: Cast Color Spray DC(16) - 2 HD or less: The creature is unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 2d4 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, and then stunned for 1 round. (Only living creatures are knocked unconscious.)

3 or 4 HD: The creature is blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round.

5 or more HD: The creature is stunned for 1 round.

[lostsole31]

R1T27: Drina, having come to trust her fellow follower of Sarenrae, draws colored sand from the pouch at her belt and hurls it toward Fawfein while voicing arcane syllables. A riot of light and colors flash from her hands. Fawfein is too far to be affected .... but Tenzei isn't.

Tenzei, roll a Will save vs. a mind-affecting effect!

[Denomar]

What pretty colors! Perhaps Tenzei should find a tailor to brighten up his garb....

Spoiler: ooc

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Will save. (1d20+5)[11]

[lostsole31]

R1T26: Tenzei looks at the pretty, pretty colors ... nothing he was ever trained to resist in all of his years of martial arts, not even considering supernatural or magical threats .. and thinks about how better to accessorize his garb.

R1T21: Darkhelm's lightning lash starts to glow ever brighter and she moves behind the elk while drawing Yuln's sword in her off-hand. Though the lightning appears more powerful, she only grazes the elk to do 7 electricity. Strange things now appear on Darkhelm ... first are a pair of greaves on her legs, and the second is a metallic gorget appearing about her neck, but seen within the surface of the metallic gorget is what appears to be a storm, as if looking into another world's darkened, stormy skies.

R1T17: Amanu, your musket is in hand. What do you do?

[Ostoril]

"What are you doing?" Amanu shouts. "Stand down, or are YOU a murderer?"

Amanu levels his musket at Darkhelm, prepared to defend himself if Darkhelm turns on him.

Spoiler: OOC

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[Standard] Ready action to shoot Darkhelm if they attack Amanu.

[lostsole31]

R1T17: "What are you doing?" Amanu shouts. "Stand down, or are YOU a murderer?"Amanu levels his musket at Darkhelm, prepared to defend himself if Darkhelm turns on him.

R1T16: "CHAAARRRGE!" is heard a squeaking voice full of rage. The stag moves forward and charges to charge Tenzei, but the snow gives it difficulty and it can't quite charge, and even blind and stunned Tenzei seems to possess some level of defense.

Meanwhile, on the back line, Amanu ... your musket shrinks to 1/16 its size and is now completely useless to you! No sooner does that happen then you see a teensy, tiny creature not even a full foot tall flying just above and to the side of you!

R1T8: Griss, what do you do? Tenzei is blind and stunned, and getting attacked by a stag. There is also a diminutive flying thing by Amanu, and his musket is the length of a palm now.

Drina on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...

[jss1701]

Griss was startled by Darkhelm's apparently unprovoked attack, but all seems clear now.
Raising his hands, he will sent light vortices at both the attacking stag and the imp.

Spoiler

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(1d20+5)[14] for (2d8)[9] vs the stag's touch AC
(1d20+5)[12] for (2d8)[11] vs the imp's touch AC

[lostsole31]

R1T8: Griss was startled by Darkhelm's apparently unprovoked attack, but all seems clear now. Raising his hands, he sends light vortices at both the attacking stag and the imp. The stag gets hit for 9 light and falls with a big whump in the snow, having failed to hit Griss with its horns. The fey creature dodges the light that comes its way.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T27: Drina, only the fey creature by Amanu is active. What do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Amanu in the hole ...

[Kvard51]

Feeling her previous failure keenly, Drina is far more careful as she turns around to sight on the fey close to Amanu. She trudges through the snow just enough to cast a spell that targets the winter sprite but does not reach her ally. Fire bursts from her outstretched hands and engulfs her target.

Spoiler: Actions:

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MA - Move East 5' (using 10' of movement)
SA: Burning Hands (DC16) due east (15' Cone) for (3d4)[7] Fire Damage. Reflex Save for Half.