Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [Part 2]

[lostsole31]

After several deaths, desertions, and deliverances, the four current heroes and their two animals that entered the Winter Portal in the Somir Valley of the Border Wood some miles from Heldren in the Empire of Taldor ... appear in a place that is as changed in location as each of our heroes AND their animals!

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Name [Player]	Color	Race [Ethnicity] (Gender ID)	AL	Side 1	Side 2
(Lady) Argentea Malassene [NPC]	Teal	Human [Taldan] (f)	LG	Cavalier 4 [Inspiring Commander]	Warder 4 [Hussar]
Arthog [NPC]	Golden Rod	??? Winged? Unicorn (m)	??	LA 4	Unicorn 4
Darkhelm, the Peaceful Void [NPC]	Indigo	Astomoi? (f)	NG	???	???
Moorgram Kelvar [Ostoril]	Dark Orange	Human [Taldan] (m)	N	???	Witch (Endurance) 3 [Gingerbread Witch]
Nadya Petska [NPC]	Blue	Human [Ulfen] (f)	?	???	???
Ten-Penny Tacey	Fire Brick Red	Some kind of fairy? (f)	CN	???	???
Windrunner	Purple	Zealot Griffin (m)	LG	Griffin 4	Paladin 2/ Ranger 1 [Divine Tracker]/ LA 1

[lostsole31]

In order to close the winter portal and carry out the imperative of the Black Rider to find Baba Yaga and her Dancing Hut, the PCs must cross through the portal. They need only walk through the swirling cylinder that is the portal to find themselves instantly transported thousands of miles north to the Hoarwood Forest in the land of Irrisen.

It is significantly colder here, and subzero temperatures could prove deadly within minutes, rather than hours when unprotected from the elements. Worse, nobody feels that protective barrier that you felt emanating from Darkhelm as before, but the raw, ripping cold of the land. The PCs face dangerous exposure unless they can secure a means of keeping warm. Fortunately, the portal deposits the PCs on a forested hillside where they can see the faint and distant lights of a village miles away, but they are still far from the warmth of civilization.

To make matters worse, Lady Argentea realizes (and shares) that a snowstorm appears to be headed their way, and the distant village is the only shelter they can reach before blizzard-like conditions overtake them. While it's true that each of you is MUCH changed, and things are so perilous right now that you DO NOT HAVE TIME TO ASSESS yourselves and deal with descriptions, but have to MOVE.

Spoiler: Movement

Show

As in the Border Wood, snow covers the ground, reducing overland travel rates by half. During combat, entering a snow-covered square costs 2 squares of movement.

What do you do?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram takes a quick account of his limbs, having never traveled through a portal before, then feeling the bitter cold tries to light a torch for whatever small amount of warmth it might provide before trudging through the snow for the village.

[lostsole31]

Though there is wind, the storm is not yet upon the group and Ostoril lights the torch. He sees his much changed group, but again the time now is to focus on survival as his face hurts. The torch, unfortunately, provides only a psychological warmth as the ever-increasing breeze stimulates too much cooling heat exchange at the torch for it to be effective on the body.

Moorgram, do you now get moving?

Windrunner, you feel spurred to movement, and haven't even taken stock of your new sapience as you are newly "born" and confused, but your rider's confidence eases you forward.

[Ostoril]

Moorgram registers the differences in his group, though maybe it is merely a side effect from the portal. At least he now had fire and light while it was easy to get. "Come along, don't get separated!" he calls as he begins to make for the town. "If any of you have any better means of warmth, speak up!"

[lostsole31]

Stumbling through the snowdrifts, the PCs think they hear screams and shouts. Just barely coming into view, there is an insect that is larger than a horse with a limp humanoid figure in its mouth. It turns its head at the stimulus of the light that comes into range (courtesy of Moorgram), and simply drops the limp figure to the ground, giving an angry chittering. It seems that it thinks that you want to steal its food, and it is ready to fight!

Begin Round One ...

R1T25: Something small .. not even a foot tall ... zooms past Moorgram's head from west to east before turning sharply north. There is a thrumming noise in the air - not terribly loud - but similar to a dragonfly, as compared to the buzzing of a bee. The tiny creature is flying right over the surface of the snow when it pipes up in a small voice some incantation, runes floating in the air as a line of magical green energy shoots forth to strike the oversized insect in the forward lower right leg for 5 acid.

R1T24: Windrunner hasn't even had a chance to take stock of any aspect of its self, form, or sense of awareness when he is guided confidently into forward motion by his beloved rider. Though he senses that she could guide him to strike and pass, her trajectory on this is to directly intervene. The only thing that kept this from being a charge rather than an intercept is that Windrunner - who still doesn't quite get their changed legs - has to go through heavy snowdrifts.

R1T23: The meal has come to the Big Bug. It claws at Lady Argentea, but she directly blocks it with her shield. It then tries to claw Windrunner, but her brilliant handling of her mouth nopes that attack as well.

R1T21: A unicorn that is in the party's presence starts to have a cool, blue light emanating from its horn before it moves forward at INCREDIBLE speed over the snow to loop up and around and then down to engage the Big Bug from the north.

R1T19: Darkhelm scurries through the snow as far as she can, getting right up to Moorgram.

R1T7: Moorgram, you suffer/enjoy a strange surge of information in your mind, though you can't quite make sense of why your mind is so alive now. Still, that's less important right now than the battle. What do you do? You are holding a torch in your off-hand, and your axe is stowed.

Ten-Penny Tacey on deck, Lady Argentea in the hole ...

[Ostoril]

Moorgram advances towards the creature, drawing one of his smaller axes and throwing it at the large bug.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move: "NE" 1 square and 2 squares "E"
Attack: Throw throwing axe for (1d20+4)[15] to hit for (1d6+4)[8] slashing damage.

[lostsole31]

R1T7: Moorgram advances towards the creature, drawing one of his smaller axes and throwing it at the large bug, completely missing.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T25: The little fey creature darts down behind the winged monster that Lady Argentea now seems to ride. The little creature uses their bulk, movement, and kicking up of snow to hide.

R2T24: Since a few seconds ago, Lady Argentea is as before ... a barrage of various tactical recommendations and hints for the party. Meanwhile, she brilliantly guides Windrunner with her knees while maintaining her saddle with ease during battle. Now, she calls even louder, giving inspiring commands to all those who would join in battle with her, and increasing their bravery and ferocity in doing so!

Windrunner, the lady is focusing on making everyone else better rather than taking the glory. What do you do?

[Kvard51]

As Windrunner follows Lady Argentea's guidance, he lashes out at the giant bug with both forefeet and tries to savage it with his teeth. But instead of hooves, he sees talons. And instead of his muzzle, a beak! Before he can consider what this means, though, Argentea's knees give him another command which he follows without question.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Claw 1: (1d20+13)[28] for (1d4+4)[6] Slashing Damage
Claw 2: (1d20+13)[23] for (1d4+4)[7] Slashing Damage
Bite: (1d20+13)[33] for (1d6+9)[12] Piercing Damage

[Kvard51]

Double Post for Crits

Spoiler: Severity and Bonus Damage

Show

Claw 1: (1d20)[14] Dmg: (2d6)[8]
Claw 2: (1d20)[16] Dmg: (2d6)[7]
Bite: (1d20)[14] Dmg: (2d6)[6]

[lostsole31]

R2T24: As Windrunner follows Lady Argentea's guidance, he lashes out at the giant bug with both forefeet and tries to savage it with his teeth. But instead of hooves, he sees talons. And instead of his muzzle, a beak! Before he can consider what this means, though, Argentea's knees give him another command which he follows without question. The first attack tries to smash at the too-protected neck joint, but still does 6; the other claw hits a shoulder joint on its thorax for 8; but the bite follows and plunges right deeper into the same wound for 21. The beast is still standing.

R2T23: Enraged, the Big Bug attacks Windrunner. Its first attack is just barely noped by Lady Argentea, but the second claw catches Windrunner in the wing for 9.

R2T21: The winged unicorn ALSO crits the Big Bug while flanking with the griffin, catching it for 28 with its glowing horn and dropping it.

The heroes can put the thing out of its misery.

Initiative Ends!

There is a motionless, bloody man lying next to the Big Bug. Some 30' or so to the east, there is a small crowd of people with a couple torches.

What do you do?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram moves to retrieve his lost axe and then checks on the body of the man if no one else has.

[lostsole31]

Moorgram collects his axe. He returns to the fallen man to note that Lady Argentea is already checking on him, but once Moorgram checks as well, she's thankful for the help. Without Tenzei's medical brilliance, it seems that Moorgram is the most knowledgeable healer at this time, seconded closely by the Lady. Not so surprising as a young lifetime given to combat drills has taught her to see to minor sparring wounds and injuries. The man is comatose, and the two of the new heroes are able to stabilize him.

Ostensibly the leader of the travelers comes forward, clearly relieved of the PCs timely assistance in a distinct dialect of Taldane that you don't recognize. "I am Nadya Petska, a native of nearby Waldsy. You are foreigners by form and dress. Thank you for your help, but it is perilous to wander uninvited into the territory of the White witches. A terrible storm is approaching. For your assistance in defeating the giant insect - a type of never seen around here - I offer to lead you to Waldsby, where you can find shelter, food, and proper survival gear for the icy north. Do you accept my help as you have given yours?"

Nadya’s caravan consists of five dogsleds and four “guards”, though in truth they are little more than peasant hunters, able to fend off animal attacks, but not much more.

[Ostoril]

"I am known as Moorgram." says Moorgram gruffly. "It would seem we are in no position nor possess the time to deny your aid." He looks at the oncoming weather. "It is appreciated." he gives an awkward half bow, unsure of the proper social graces of the land.

[Kvard51]

Windrunner waits calmly, trying to take in what he can of his new form while waiting for The Lady to point the way.

[lostsole31]

As the weather worsens, Nadya explains the necessity of setting up camp to rest and keep warm while riding out the storm. A capable winter survivalist, Nadya knows the dangers of overland travel in Irrisen very well, and traveling with her is an experience in cold-weather survival.

She takes charge of the PCs and her own people in guiding all to set up a protective storm-break camp as quickly as possible. As they make camp, both groups have an opportunity to learn from each other while also taking stock of themselves.

[Likely RP interlude on Discord...]

[lostsole31]

Nadya's shelter has quite a discussion, when she hears one of her men call, "Nadya! A strange creature out here seeks hospitality in the cold in return for entertainment!"

"In this cold?" Nadya voices her concern. She looks to the assemblage of foreign heroes. "Ready yourselves in case."

She turns her head to the entrance and calls out, "We do not turn away our duty of hospitality to strangers, and we have creatures strange enough with us. Let them in."

Escorted in by one of the guards is an obviously fey creature, which gives Nadya a bit of a startle when she sees it. It is a blue-skinned woman with faun-like features - goat's ears, twisting goat horns, and a goat's hooves. She stamps her hooves and finds a place removed from the fire. "My gratitude. If you have food, I have song," she says simply.

"Your gratitude surely matches our own to be visited by one of the Fair Folk," says Nadya in what sounds like a litany more than anything spontaneous. She takes the fey a steaming bowl of the stew that was put together quickly and has had time to steep.

The fey hisses from the heat and sets the bowl aside, "We'll let that cool, if it pleases my hostess."

"Your pleasure pleases me," says Nadya.

And with that, the fey - who introduces herself as Mierul Ardelain - begins to provide a late evening of entertainment with songs, music, and tale-telling. As her stew cools, she nips at it more and more. She is a great performer.

Do do you do in the meantime?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram watches and listens to Mierul intently, less so her performances than her herself, wary of any form of treachery or deceit. However he refrains from any hostile actions and offers her whatever respect that Nadya and her kind offer.

[lostsole31]

Mierul attempts to engage the strange PCs in conversation, but Nadya tries to cover by claiming they're (you're) relatives and friends from a neighboring village.

Moorgram (or, less likely, Windrunner) .... do you try to help Nadya's ruse or keep mum?

[Kvard51]

Windrunner keeps himself to himself, watching the Fey with uncertainty. "She seems friendly enough," he thinks, "But after all the Winter Court folk we have recently faced in battle, I'll keep an eye on this creature."

[Ostoril]

Moorgram keeps to himself as much as possible without being rude. He is a woodsman and conversation is not something he practices often. If pressed for conversation he will try to steer the friendly conversation towards one thing he knows that others often relate to, food and cooking.

[lostsole31]

With a full belly and entertained hosts and guests, Mierul takes her leave. She was looking for food-for-entertainment, but she must be pressing on, and the winter is no bother to her.

Does anyone start anything, or let her leave in peace?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram does not wish to start anything and will maintain as best of politeness as he is able being a woodsman in strange lands.

[lostsole31]

And with that, the fey bard is gone on to do whatever fey bards do. Meanwhile, the stress of the day for all is enough to put people to sleep.

---

Fireday, 25 Erastus 4713 AR
Weather: -15 / -30 F. Sparse flurries (1/2" snow). Ground cover (6" snow). Winds WNW 20 mph. Wind Chill: -40 / -55 F.

First morning in Irrisen, and it is so bitterly cold, as you don't want to get out from under the fur blankets with your stiff muscles. But time to move.

Time to set up dailies!

[lostsole31]

After weathering the storm overnight, Nadya leads the PCs back onto the trail to Waldsby. A swarm of ravens soars through the sky. At her direction, the caravan guards unfurl white tarps to draw over the dogsleds and hide the caravan and the non-Large PCs until the ravens fly past.

Windrunner, you won't fit under tarps, and you are colorful. Lady Argentea tries to cover you as best she can and get you to the side under vegetation.

Moorgram, do you hide under the tarp? Hide, but under brush? or something else?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram hides under the tarp like the others. "Why do we hide from birds?" He asks as he takes cover, unsure if it is custom or fear.

[lostsole31]

"Shhhh!" Nadya hisses fearfully.

The ravens settle upon the ground and about the tarp, cawing loudly. Then, with one vigorous action, they begin attacking the tarp and completely shred it, revealing everyone hiding underneath!

Begin Round One ...

R1T18: Arthog tromps quickly through the snow from his hiding place to have his horn whip about and do significant damage (10 mod) to the raven swarm. Still, it is a single pokey horn-stick, and as many ravens as he kills, it isn't as much as he might have hoped as he pulls back from the initial strike.

R1T17: "Protect your eyes!" squeaks out Ten-Penny Tacey as she flies away from the swarm. "They love eyes and might scratch or peck them out!"

She casts a spell, and two arcane bolts of force leap forth to rip through the swarm for a total of 7 force. "Wait, what? Oh, cool!" cries Ten-Penny, as it appears that what happened was different than expected.

R1T16: Lady Argentea rides Windrunner towards the swarm, readying her shield as she goes. As she closes, she gives a particularly brutal sweep through the mass of ravens for 22, causing real mayhem.

Windrunner, this isn't a charge, and you had to move closer (MA), now adjacent to the swarm. What do you do?

[Kvard51]

Windrunner follows Lady Argentea's instruction to the best of his abiities. As she uses her knees to guide him close enough for her to strike the birds, he takes his own chance to get in some shots. Using his beak and both foreclaws, he slashes and tears through the ravens, seeking purchase among the swarming vermin.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

FAA: Full Attack Risky Strike w/ claw/claw/bite from - (1d20+11)[16] for (1d4+8)[12] slashing dmg, (1d20+11)[14] for (1d4+8)[11] slashing dmg, (1d20+11)[18] for (1d6+13)[16] slashing dmg

[lostsole31]

R1T16 (Cont'd): Windrunner follows Lady Argentea's instruction to the best of his abilities. As she uses her knees to guide him close enough for her to strike the birds, he takes his own chance to get in a shot with his beak, seeking purchase among the swarming vermin. His beak snaps on so many of the ravens, that they begin to scatter, for which he follows up to bring down the fleeing birds with more strikes from his foreclaws.

The swarm is scattered.

Combat Ends!

[Ostoril]

"What was that about?" Moorgram asks.