The Cold World

[Saintheart]

Day 2, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
Valley of the Spear
Early Afternoon
Hardwalker Hall, 1537

Complication Pool: 6 of 6

Tonlist had indeed joined them, and despite the hole in the roof, the group's fellowship was pleasant. They had a decent night's sleep which passed without incident, and in the morning Njal broke down the table and formed three thin layers of wood as agreed. The builder arrived not long after sunrise, and had a look of glad interest on his face, rubbing his hands together as he looked over the three pieces of wood and promised the party that the work would be done at guild standard and according to the deal they'd made. One or two dour-looking labourers were turning up in the journeyman's wake as well.

So the group took stock and assembled its possessions for their next adventure: the journey out to Kirillin Manor. They headed out from Hardwalker Hall by the Gate of Sighs; Pedrick, the young lad that Njal knew, apparently wasn't on duty as they passed - 'That woman he's been payin' for over in Sweet Town's likely got him chained to her bed' was the grinning commentary offered by one of the older guards on his absence - and the four of them pulled their coats and protective cloaks tighter around them as they ventured east toward the Valley, past the great, turning wheels of Windmill Ridge and the unmoving shadows of Barrow Hill to the north.

The Valley welcomed them back with a chill wind out of the east. The temperature had dropped to near-freezing, but it wasn't anything that their cold weather gear or Njal's native toughness couldn't cope with. Even Dog, Verglas's dog, didn't seem worried by the conditions; his fur was almost as thick as Gromrir's and the two canines seemed to get along just fine.

The Valley itself seemed almost to have changed its landscape again in the wake of the screaming Gravewind that had passed over it a couple of weeks earlier; there were landmarks that Njal was fairly sure weren't there when they last came through here, albeit their route then had been different. Still, at least the way seemed simple enough; Kirillin Manor apparently lay not far from the southern edge of the Valley, so following that same range of mountains seemed the logical path. They also were taking things at a leisurely pace, so although they'd be out here longer, at least he wouldn't have to try and find their way at the same breakneck pace they'd had to flee this accursed snowbowl last time. White hills, blue ridges, and stands of dead or dark-green trees greeted them as they walked, though there was no smell on the air and the only moan was that of the wind.

Their path took them through the foothills of the Valley. And so it was in those foothills, around an hour after noon, that they came across the great, hulking shape.

It was mostly turned away from them, and that was indeed fortunate, since they wouldn't be much more than eighty feet from it. The creature was big: a good fifteen feet tall and covered in muscle. Njal and Verglas's initial instincts were to identify it as an ogre--
"Not ogre," whispered Tonlist. The female bard had crept up within earshot of the others. "Not qui'. 'Tis lycan-touched. Werebear."

And that seemed consistent with the creature's look. Powerful, bulky, with patches of fur and skin intermixed, the ogre had all the signs of affliction with what the scholars of the Mountain called lycanthropy. The lycan filth-touch sometimes infected the lower-end giants, of which there were some tribes in the Sininen Seina Ridge south of Hardwalker Hall. Werebears whose host was an ogre tended to be seen either as blessed or cursed depending on which tribe of monsters you chose. They were dangerous creatures indeed.

But none of that really explained what the werebear was doing. It was crouched over what looked to be another massive body - at least, presumably a body. There was a lot of blood and other unmentionable bits spread in the immediate vicinity. It could, possibly, be the corpse of some ogre, but certainly some form of giantkin, anyway. The werebear seemed to be cracking rocks from the craggy ridges of stone around it, using a massive pick the size of a small tree in both hands to do so. It was taking the double-fist-sized rocks that resulted from this activity and placing them on the ogre's body ... maybe some kind of burial routine, even if primitive. Some sort of concealment, anyway. Now and then the werebear scooped snow onto the ogre's body, too.

If the creature's intent was to fully cover the ogre's corpse, as seemed to be the case, even a cursory estimate indicated the task would take some hours for the werebear to complete. But the werebear's chosen location for its activities lay right in the party's chosen route to Kirillin Manor. Working their way around the werebear's activity was certainly possible, but would also take a considerable period of time out of the group's way, and thereby delay their journey even more.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

What do you do?

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Enjoying the ride Njal was still chuckling from the jokes from the gate guard and it had kept him gruffly amused for the morning as he munched on the trail rations and drank the icy water harvested from the fresh snow. As he spies the massive beast he pulls up Stormir short, sniffing the air suspiciously. "Aye, he a be a big beastie, unpredictable like. No idea if it be spoiling for a fight or just suiting itself..." He pulls out the tigerskull club resting it on the pommel of the saddle. "Do ye fancy having a wee chat Verglas or just we be riding past?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Know(Nature) (1d20+5)[24]

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas huddles with her three companions. She glances dispassionately at the furry man in the distance.

"We could consider this from a cost benefit analysis perspective If we were to approach and speak with the bear-man, we save an hour or two and may have an opportunity to learn more about the immediate vicinity The potential cost is that he rips Rodrigo's face off and feeds it to Dog uses Njal's beard to cover that bare patch on his ass and then uses my my femur as a swizzle stick while slurping down my brain using my skull as a bowl."

She pauses and deadpans.

"I vote we go around."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

What does Verglas know about the burial practices in this region? Knowledge Religion (1d20+9)[16]

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
We are not in haste, and if it is in mourning it might prefer solitude. Then again it might not. Do you know the traditions of its peoples?

[Saintheart]

Day 2, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
Valley of the Spear
Early Afternoon
Hardwalker Hall, 1537

Complication Pool: 6 of 6

Spoiler: Verglas

Show

Verglas didn't. There were a number of intriguing subjects at the Mountain, but she didn't recall any that involved the common or widespread practice of burial under rocks as a funeral ceremony. Barrow Hill outside Hardwalker Hall was certainly testament to the observation that only the famous, courageous, rich or shameless were interred; the process of digging a grave was arduous any time of the year except Kevat or Kesa. Cremation was far more common, whether on land or in a boat pushed out into the waters; the use of fire to warm the dead was considered itself an act of honour, a last mercy. It also reduced the odds of Forsaken rising, or so some of Verglas's instructors had theorised at the Mountain.

But no, this looked far more like concealment than funeral. Not that Verglas had the opportunity to hear about or personally observe the customs of giantkin; whether here or anywhere else, interactions between gnomes and giants frequently involved running away and screaming*



* And not always on the part of the gnomes.

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas racks her brain in an effort to answer Rodrigo's perceptive question.

"Sadly my people's sociological investigations into the practices of such big folk tend to focus more on where on the ankle joint to insert the knife Still this doesn't seem to be a standard funerary practice The creation of a cairn is as we can see a painstaking process and is normally reserved for those that are highly honoured I would have thought that in such cases there would be a gathering of loved ones So the inference I would make is that either the figure being covered in stones is only beloved to the individual doing the burying or else it an effort to conceal a body and not to honour it While this does not of course automatically mean that it is a murderer thwarted in their burial practices by permafrost that possibility cannot be ruled out."

She points out an alternate path, giving the bear-man a wide berth.

"How about that way?"

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
If it is a murderer, then would he not present a constant threat to our friend and family?

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal looks at Verglas and Ramiro, pausing, deep in thought and considers the options. “Aye laddie, it’s a strange wee thing. He be a big beastie though. Maybe we waits for him to move on and see what’s occurre with the body. He’ll pause, resting on the horse and watching for a few moments longer waiting for the we’re bear to wander in and allow him to study what lies under the cairn. “Aye Verglas, I know, he be a biggie but if he be a murderer then he be too close to the town”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Know(Nature) [roll0]

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas tilts her head, considering Njal's words.

"You imply that we four are better equipped to assess and contain the potential threat of the putative murderer than the entire team of guards at Hardwalker.

"Our races are both naturally cooperative When you are tunnel dwellers you come to understand that if others are being killed by something then running away will not save you In those situations the correct response is to run towards the threat alongside the others in order to attempt to overwhelm it.

"But we are not in a tunnel and you are not responsible for the welfare of everyone you can see It is possible to narrow the focus of what constitutes us and them For example I have arbitrarily accepted a degree of personal responsibility for the three of you Also Dog I suppose It would have been my preference to accept a degree of responsibility for Lyssa's future health and happiness but that doesn't seem to be likely to pan out at the moment That's it.

"So when I consider what is best for 'us' I do not choose to prioritize the hypothetical threat that Mister Furry might pose to an entire town over our own safety Do you understand? Us as defined as the people right here."

She gazes steadily up at the worldly dwarf.

"Does this make sense to you?"

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal turns looking down at the angry seeming gnome. Then after another long look at the furry beast he slowly nods. “aye lass, you be right. No need to go seeking trouble. Plenty out here will find us anyway.” With that he turns the horse around and looks down the path Verglas pointed to and slowly pushes Stormrir forward into a slow trot to go around the furry beast. “We can always have a canny wee look at the cairn on the way back when the big furry lad has gone.”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas nods and smiles.

"Absolutely."

Clambering back onto dog - she was very much still getting the hang of a mount that tended to accelderate randomly upon sighting rodents - Verglas veered off to the side and was very pleased to give the massive bear-man a wide berth.

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
I have not determined the average quality of the guards at the hall yet, but I do think what you say in sarcasm is in fact truth. I heed your suggestions however, we can notify the hall when we return.

[Saintheart]

Day 5, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
Valley of the Spear
Around twilight
Hardwalker Hall, 1537

Complication Pool: 4 of 6

The group crept down the narrow path Verglas had indicated. It unfortunately led to a relatively exposed crag of rock, and the werebear shifted its position such that going back would have fully revealed their position. And the werebear took its sweet time about completing its task ... the rest of the afternoon, actually. The sun was dropping west by the time it finally looked over the massive pile of stone it had accrued, seemed to grunt, and then shifted form to a massive, white polar bear and ambled off southward, back into the mountains, finally leaving the coast clear for them to resume their course. Which they did, at least for the hour or so of sunlight left, and then pitched camp in the hills.

That night passed quietly - as did the next one. Their journey into the Valley was at a leisurely place, to be sure, but their passage, through the snowy foothills of the southern edge of the Valley, was unhindered and unmarked by anything assailing them or any calamitous event. On the other hand, the foraging was slim. The animals managed to find enough food for themselves, and water sources of course were available so long as they had an open flame and a handful of snow, but even Njal only managed to bring down a decent-sized Storm Owl on that first day - even he was down to trail rations at that point.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Verglas, Ramiro, and Tonlist deduct 2 trail rations each. Njal deducts 1. No feed or rations consumed for any of the animals, they maintained themselves enough.

The third day of their travel, where they turned northward and back into the snowy bowl of the Valley proper, turned chilly. Their waterskins froze over completely, and the snow in Verglas's insulated chest was cold enough to sting the skin to touch it. However, the group had come prepared for inclement conditions, and they addressed the cold with spell and gear.

Spoiler: OOC

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On this, Day 5 of Alkukevaasta, the temperature drops to Severe Cold, ie. close to -20 F, i.e.e. level 2 Cold Protection is required for full protection against Fort saves and level 1 provides only partial protection.

Njal is fully protected because he's an arctic dwarf, Gromrir because he's an arctic animal with fur, but Verglas, Ramiro, Tonlist, Dog, and Stormrir effectively only have level 1 at best. So that likely means Endure Elements spells.

Absent any rearrangements you want to make relating only to cold weather management, I am assuming:
- 2 Endure Elements come out of Tonlist's Eternal Wand, which uses it up for the day.
- 1 casting comes from Njal's memorised spells
- 2 castings come from Njal's wand of Endure Elements, which reduces its charges to 23 remaining.

In terms of memorised spells, I'm assuming what's on your character sheets at the moment are your memorised spells for today. Please mark off usages and charges as above unless you have an alternative setup in mind.

The descent into the Valley began to focus the group's minds on the actual site ahead of them. Eventually, with the noonday sun failing to warm even their skins in the cold of the wind and the bone-white light, one of them asked Tonlist whether she knew anything about Kirillin Manor.

The dwarf nodded. "Aye. There's tall tales in th' land abou' it, so when ye fir' mentioned ye were plannin' t' try th' cursed place I wen' an' ask'd aroun' a little in town. Once ye get throu' all th' horrified looks an' wards 'gainst th' elven eye, th' legends come down t' this: Kirillin Manor was some sort o' ... prison. Mayhap, hospital, if th' Slavemasters knew such a word. Elves ran it."

Tonlist shrugged. "Th' Manor was some kind o' refuge-place, for slaves who were ... aberrant. Murderers, lunatics, accursed, ye ken. Odd, I know, tha' th' sort'd be imprisoned an' no' jus' bled dry in a drain somewhere, bu' supposedly th' elven bastard in charg' o' th' manor act'ally gave two shayts abou' sick thralls. Ha' a couple Illumian doctors there, so they say, who tried t' treat th' deranged. Place ran f'r many years, bu' one nigh' th' patients rioted an' there was a big fire tha' destroyed th' joint. Burned down no' long b'fore th' Rebellion, and th' Manor an' the grounds aroun' it are haunted or worse. More'n tha's jus' stupid spec'lation even dimwitted skalds don't honour wi' their tongues."

She didn't say any more than that.

The story lingered with the group on through the afternoon. And around twilight, when they were still in the hills and up on a small rise south of a dell in the relatively flat plain of the Valley, there was something else.

A single, twisted tree - maybe Icethorn, maybe just tortured ancient dead oak - rose at the bottom of the dell. There were four beings gathered around the tree, and a large, white--

Gromrir gave a low, warning growl. It was a winter wolf down there. Which was understandable given the other four beings were more of the lanky, glowing-blue-eyed men most of the group had encountered before: the Folken, Frost Folk, humanoids with leather armour and weapons that looked to have had heavy use.

However, the group hadn't been spotted. Because the four Folken had their attention on something else. This something else was enough to push away the immediate, alarming question about what Frost Folk were doing not only west of Lastbreath Pass, but this far west into the Valley.

A thin, agonised sound like a scream drifted up to the party.

There was one more Folken with the four gathered around the tree. This last, fifth member of the Folken was lashed with leather straps to the trunk of the ancient tree ... where ...

... where the other Frost Folk were crucifying it.
Slowly.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

What do you do?

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
Can we agree that this set of scum should not be permitted to wander back. We did not have time to track them down last time they were in the valley. Give me 5 min to circle around.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal nods at Ramiro, “Aye lad. Mercy fer a big beast, nothing fer these white skinned devils. We’ll burn these scum back to their damn mountains.” He glances at Verglas and Tonlin, “Ye ready lassies, be a bloody one. They be tough b******s.” He nods to Ramiro “Aye. After 5 watch fer the fire and lightning. Me blood is up I’ll bring the damned storm.”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Wait for Ramiro to get into position

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Back in the conversation about the bear-man:

"Sarcasm? I do not understand what you mean I was completely sincere in my sentiments."

--

With the Frost-Folk:

When Ramiro announces his plan to circle around, Verglas lays a hand lightly on his him and murmurs.

"I am no brawler, but have read that pincer attacks only work when you have superior numbers If we split our forces, we risk either position being overwhelmed Also you are then out of reach of our ability to augment your fighting abilities Still I am certain that you know best."

Verglas withdraws from the top of the ridge in order to prepare for battle. She loads her crossbow and picks up a handful of powdery snow, weighing it in her hand and feeling its power.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Preparations for battle:
Load crossbow

Pick up snow

Spells (all will use Snowcasting & Frozen Magic)
If Ramiro stays with them, and is willing: cast Enlarge Person on him (lasts 6 minutes). If Ramiro goes, Verglas will offer Njal the same enhancement.
When they're just about to attack: cast Haste. If Ramiro stays, Haste will target Ramiro Njal, Verglas, Gromnir and Stormrir. If Ramiro leaves to circle around, substitute Tonlist. (lasts 6 rounds)

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda gives a wide smile
Augment? In what way? Unless you can make me faster, (He does not know that its possible)
I think I would be of more use causing some initial disarray.

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas nods trimly.

"Yes precisely Faster bigger and stronger is what I was going to offer you Also, Tonlist's specific learnings may be of some use to you as well Still as you've said disarray is also of use so I will leave it to your discretion."

Spoiler: ooc

Show

So, to recap: Haste and Enlarge Person are available from Verglas. Tonlist has the ability to impart DR/2 in a 30' burst for a minute 1/day. I'm also not sure how close Ramiro needs to be to Tonlist to benefit from Inspire Courage, if she chooses to use that.

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
Oh he pauses a moment to process the change in the tactical options.

Faster is good, bigger just makes me an easier target. I will hide behind that rock. (He gestures)
Is that close enough?

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Hide (1d20+12)[30]
Move Silently (1d20+12)[17]

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas beams at Rodrigo, and finds a somewhat smaller rock to hide behind. She turns to Dog and speaks with uncharacteristic brevity.

"Guard."

When Njal signals his readiness, Verglas will give Tonlist a nod and then brandish her mittful of snow as she casts her first spell.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Once everyone's ready, Verglas will try to select a location that gives her cover from the frostfolk, and cast Haste on Njal, Ramiro, Stormrir, Gromnir, Dog and herself, which will last 6 rounds.
And then, I guess, initiative! (1d20+2)[13]

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal looks down at the frost folk, his eyes crackling with power as he reaches up into the air to the dark clouds and begins to draw upon their power. He starts as Verglas beside him causes them all to accelerate and Ramiro runs to hide. As he reaches the crescendo of the spell a vast bolt of lightning thunders down striking the middle frost folk

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Cast Call Lightning
Imitative (1d20-5)[8]

When spell complete (3d6)[9] or (3d10)[11] (if Stormy) Electricity damage
Ref DC16 for half

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding

[Saintheart]

Day 5, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
Valley of the Spear
Around twilight
Hardwalker Hall, 1537

Complication Pool: 4 of 6

It perhaps was inevitable, but it was still terrible to witness the Folken's alacrity. As Njal began calling on the Spirits in the clouds, two of the Frost Folk's heads snapped around to the ridge where they were concealed, and the rest of them turned as Verglas began to cast their spells as well. One of them was barking some guttural words in the winter wolf's ear. They were already reaching for their weapons as the dwarf's spell reached its crescendo, and then the crack of thunder lanced down--

The Folken in the centre of the group was extraordinarily fast. Faster than the wolf, which was already loping away from them, away from the party and the ridge they were on. Oh, the Folken was still hit by the lightning, the Spirits whispered to Njal that even under the actinic flash of light and the roll of thunder, but he had certainly avoided the worst of it. Which somehow didn't seem possible, but--

One of the others was speaking. Not any language they knew. No, there were liquid syllables coming from its mouth. Magic, Verglas realised, peeking around the rock she was behind, they have a spellcaster with them and--

A massive bank of fog suddenly billowed into existence, five feet in front of the gathered Folken, building 20 feet high in a second, stretching out to 40 feet wide, covering both the Folken and the tree with its dreadful impaled victim in a white mist thick enough to block their vision. In seconds, the Folken had disappeared. And the field had gone to silence again.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

What do you do?

Verglas and Njal both pick the spell as Fog Cloud, though not clear whether it was cast as a divine or arcane spell.

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
Tempted as he is to cause chaos in the mist, he does not want to get accidentally struck by friendly lightning.
He stays behind his rock, listening for the first one of them to rush the position.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Listen: (1d20+11)[28]

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas had occasionally omitted the seemingly obvious in her previous communications, sometimes to her immediate disappointment ultimate detriment. So she is more explicit and less economical in her words than she might otherwise choose.

"They have a spellcaster and know our approximate location This is a bad combination We should work our way to another position while they can't see us the better to pick off their spelluser when they reveal themselves."

Gesturing for Dog to heel, Verglas works her way around the edge of the ridge to her right, ending behind another lump of snow and rock. She drops the snow in her hand and holds her crossbow ready to fire if a frostfolk or winter wolf comes into view.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Hoping that Dog follows her.
Verglas moves 50' ish along the ridge, stopping when she gets to another bit of cover.
If this reveals a target, she fires. Otherwise, she readies an action to do the same.
Attack: (1d20+6)[17]
Piercing Damage: (1d6)[5]
Fire Damage: (1d6)[2]

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Holding the charge of the lightning Njal pushes Stormrir down the slope approaching the fog slowly, tigerskull club held in hand with Gromrir keeping close beside him. He readies to call down more of the storm, the crackling energy playing around his beard and shining in his eyes.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

advance 30ft towards the fog cloud, ready a lightning strike (3d6)[7] if something comes out the fog

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding

[Saintheart]

Day 5, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
Valley of the Spear
Around twilight
Hardwalker Hall, 1537

Complication Pool: 4 of 6

Nothing answered their movements, at least as far as they could see or hear. The winter wolf had bolted off in a direction still covered by the fog cloud, apparently, and from the fog there was dreadful silence. If Njal wanted to pursue closer or investigate further, he would have to enter the fog bank before them - if not be supported by the others.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

What do you do?

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal looks to Tontin and Verglas and speaks so they cna hear. "Get ready lassies, I'm about to prove Verglas right about being an ol' windbag..." he trots the horse forwards to the bank of fog pulling out a an old and tattered piece of vellum covered in dwarven runes and carefully reads it. Seconds later a massive gust of wind surrounds him flapping his beard and hair about his head before striking the bank of fog to tear into pieces

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Advance another 30ft
Use Scroll of Gust of Wind to disperse the wind

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding

[Saintheart]

Day 5, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
Valley of the Spear
Around twilight
Hardwalker Hall, 1537

Complication Pool: 4 of 6

Njal's measures certainly cleared the field of fog a moment or two later, but didn't remove the uneasiness from the field. There wasn't a Folken to be immediately seen apart from the figure hanging from the tree, half-crucified; the snow and ice all round had been torn up and disturbed with a mixture of footprints, drag marks, and other activity, but on a quick glance it wasn't immediately apparent where those footprints led -and a decent number of rocks, snowbanks, ice-covered bushes, and fallen logs to hide around or in - if they remained.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

What do you do?

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas reaches down to grab a handful of spring snow. She murmurs one of her favourite incantations, and a duplicate of herself - well, perhaps a bit more attractive (all is vanity) - lifts into the air and floats a few feet above the air down into the valley below. This Verglas holds a significantly butch-er crossbow, and it peers from side to side as it descends.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Verglas casts Silent Image, using Snowcasting, Cold Focus, Greater Cold Focus and Frozen Magic.. She creates a duplicate of herself about 20' behind her over the ridge, and has it fly at high speed just a few feet above the snow, down toward a point about 50' away from the crucifiction.

She is hoping to use it as bait to draw out the frostfolk. If it is attacked, she will do her best to react, dodging arrows and blades, being hurt but not killed by frost breath, etc. Will save DC 18 to disbelieve once an individual has interacted with the image.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal pauses, “Throggs balls…” he snarls as he sees no sign of the folken. With a whistle he sends forward Gromnir a little, the heavy set husky sniffing tye air for signs of them

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Njal, pauses and readies for any Folken to appear and will throw lightning at them (3d6)[9] DC 16 half
Gromnir advance 30ft, sniffing out with scent (1d20+7)[23]

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 41/41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey



Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 3 companion
29 / 29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 18
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW std Leather barding