CH. 01 - Road to Icewind Dale

[Dallion80]

Looks at the others "I will take the final watch."  Dallion sits during his watch looking up at the stars seeing if he can see any signs in the stars.

[Daos]

JAXLE:  "Wolf? I am sorry about your friend."

"Thank you," Krah says.  "She was a fine companion and hunter, and a good friend."

The night passes without further incident.  During the first watch, Drezden speaks with Krah.  Despite his poor social skills, Drezden manages to get Krah to open up a bit.  It seems the two may be a bit of kindred spirits, as Krah is not particularly good with speaking to others, either.  This creates a lack of pressure on both of them, allowing them to talk more easily.  Krah tells Drezden that his homeland is far to the east of here, in the Endless Wastes.  His people, according to legend, were originally humans from Sossal. Many from Sossal allied themselves with the Raumathari and sought power from the "cold outer darkness" (i.e., ice devils), and so the frost folk were born.  Krah was exiled from his home after being found guilty of murder.  Krah does not deny the charge, but he is not yet comfortable enough with the dwarf to speak more on it.  It does seem clear, however, that he regrets the act.  He and his winter wolf, Raana, made their way westward toward Icewind Dale hoping to survive on the land, much in the same way Drezden does.

On the second watch, Malavar and Taska speak some, as well.  Most of the cleric's questions are deflected with flirtatious banter or changing the subject.  He does learn a few things about her, though.  She was born in Luskan and used to survive on the streets by whatever means she could.  At some point she became captain of her own ship, the Bronzemoon, and while she is vague about what exactly she did, it does seem obvious from various context clues that some kind of piracy was involved.  Malavar learns, however, that Taska does seem to have some standards.  She at one point mentions another ship that the Bronzemoon met on the open seas to 'trade' but later realized the 'contraband' in question were slaves.  Not only did she call off the deal, she had her crew attack the ship and free the slaves.  She hints that this is what led to the mutiny that ousted her from her own ship--her crew did not look favorably on her costing them so much gold.

On the third watch, Dallion and Jaxle mostly sit in silence.  Dallion looks up at the stars and tries to divine the future from their positions, something he studied back in his homeland.  He observes that the constellation The Harp is in alignment with The Sword and Dagger.  If he is reading this right, that means he stands to complete an important personal goal soon, although it will not be easy.  A fierce battle awaits him, and soon, but one made easier with allies.

The following morning, Rafferty and Dell work at breaking down camp and preparing the horses to travel again.  Krah approaches the party and nods gratefully to them.  "Once more, I thank you for your aid.  I have been on my own for so long, I had forgotten the value of allies...even friends.  Now, with Raana gone, I am on my own again.  But without your help, I would have no weapon to hunt with at all.  At least now, I have a fighting chance at survival out here in the wild."

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Drezden makes a CHA check [6] (1d20):  4, pass.  His relationship with Krah improves a bit.

__8F7|A71d20

Malavar makes a CHA check [15] (1d20):  4, pass.  His relationship with Taska improves a bit.

1d20

Dallion makes an Astrology check [18] (1d20):  6, pass.  He is able to divine a coming event.

1d20

1d20·1d20·1d20

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden informs Krah "We're heading up to icewind dale ourselves you know. I'm not running this caravan but you'd be welcome at my campfire anytime Krah. I might be able to teach you some skills for survival out in the forest too."

[Dallion80]

Dallion looks at Krah and speaks in a slightly warm voice to the man. "I agree with Drezden, I would be more then welcome to have you at our fire and side. I am sorry we didn't save you friend but at least we punished those that wronged you."

[Daos]

Krah seems surprised by this.  "You wish me...to accompany you?  Further north?"  He takes a moment to think it over, then nods solemnly.  "I am indebted to you all.  If I can aid you on your mission, then I would be happy to do so.  I will lend my axe to your cause."

[Dram]

Jaxle offers Krah some of his dry rations. Are you hungry friend? Last night on on watch I figured you could use some quiet time. With the others chatting with you most of the night.

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden smiles and winks at Krah "Don't worry you'll get used to it."

[Daos]

JAXLE:  "Are you hungry friend? Last night on on watch I figured you could use some quiet time. With the others chatting with you most of the night."

"Thank you," Krah says, accepting the meal gratefully.

"Well, it's fine by me," Peddywinkle says.  "But I have no extra funds to pay you, so if you come along it won't be as a paid guard.  And you'll have to fend for your own for supplies, because I only brought enough for the eight of us."

Krah nods.  "I understand, and it will not be a problem.  I am skilled in both hunting and foraging.  I can find my own food and water."

"Very well.  Rafferty, Dell, let's get the caravan moving again then, shall we?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden "Aye lets set off now." the ranger says to his employer. Then he goes over to Krah "Don't worry about it I'll share my rations with yah and help hunt and forage."

[Daos]

The party sets off again, on the road to Targos.  They march in their regular formation, but Krah keeps his distance and takes up the rear, as the strange aura of cold that constantly emanates from him seems to upset the animals.  For the most part, the ninth day is fairly uneventful.  Krah has become a focal point for Dell's endless questions, giving the rest of the party a break.  By the end of the day, though, Dell has given up on getting any answers from the tight-lipped frost man at all.  That night, Krah goes hunting for his own food, as promised.

On the tenth day, they make good time, and the mountains are practically looming over them now.  Peddywinkle points out the road takes them through a valley pass, so they won't need to worry about climbing over the mountains.  As they camp for the night, they begin what has become their standard routine.  Dell and Rafferty begin unhitching and patting down the horses, Krah prepares to go hunting, and Peddywinkle asks that one of the party gets a fire going so they can start cooking dinner and fight off the increasing chill of the north.

==============

(OOC:  All four PCs have flint and steel, so starting a fire should be easy enough for any of you.)

Day 09 encounter check (1d10):  5, no encounters

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Day 10 encounter check (1d10):  1, encounter during (1d100):  97, the night (1d8): 

1d101d1001d8

1d10·1d10·1d100·1d8

[Dallion80]

Dallion sets about creating a camp fire and setting up camp

[Daos]

While Dell brushes down the horses, Dallion gets a fire going easily enough.  Taska approaches the fire and holds her hands out to it.  Peddywinkle nods, pleased.  He then gestures for Rafferty to go grab some food from the wagon so they can begin cooking.

However, when Rafferty opens up the back of the wagon containing the supplies, he takes a step back in surprise.  "What the...damned thieves!"  Standing inside the wagon are two foxes with beautiful, silvery-grey coat of shimmering fur and glowing blue eyes.  Each one has a sack of food in their mouths.

Rafferty makes a move to grab at one of the vulpines, but one of them drops the bag from its mouth and breathes a cone of cold at the grizzled teamster.  Rafferty, his skin now bluish and his beard white with frost, is barely able to move after the assault.  The foxes then grab their sacks of food and attempt to make a break for it.

"Uncle Raff, you okay?!" Dell asks in surprise.

"Stop them!" Paddywinkle says.  "We'll need that food to survive the trip to Targos!"

===============

Hoar Fox 01 uses his breath weapon on Raffery, dealing (2d6):  3,3 = 6 damage. 

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Raffery saves vs. breath weapon [17] (1d20):  5, fail.  He takes 6 damage.  Rafferty becomes seriously wounded.

1d20

(OOC:  Click on the map to enlarge.  Key is as follows:  R = Raffery, D = Dallion, P = Peddywinkle, T = Taska, K = Krah, Dr = Drezden, M = Malavar, J = Jaxle, d = Dell, HH = Horse, OO = Onyx, j = Jack, m = Maple, 1&2 = foxes.  The rectangles are the wagons and the circle is the fire.

Everyone roll initiative and state your actions for Round 1.)

Initiative

Rafferty (1d10):  1

1d10

Taska (1d10): 9
1d10

Krah (1d10): 3
1d10

Dell (1d10): 4
1d10

Hoar Fox 01 (1d10): 7
1d10

Hoar Fox 02 (1d10): 4
1d10

1d6·1d6·1d20·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10

[Rax]

"Confounded pests!" Malavar cries out. Grabbing his spear, he runs to the fire and takes up a brand, with the idea of using it to scare the foxes into dropping their prizes.

HgEzSmdN1d10

Just to be clear, this round Malavar moves to the fire and picks up a brand. I assume he had his spear near at hand so that it effectively takes no time to grab that and bring it as well.

Next round, he'll try and close with the foxes to scare them into dropping the sacks.

1d10

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden grabs his crossbow "Pests eh more like dangerous and magnificent creatures." rather than attacking the creatures the dwarf tries to communicate with them using his ranger training and skills. (ooc: yes I am attempting to communicate with animals, by means of animal empathy if applicable.)

FpJuTxCk1d10

1d10

[Daos]

While Dell works to keep the horses and mules from panicking, Rafferty comes up behind one of the foxes and swings his club at it.  The fox senses his approach and easily evades.  "Damn quick, these things!" the teamster grumbles.  The fox retaliates with another blast of icy breath, which nearly downs Rafferty.

Malavar moves up and grabs a firebrand, while Krah draws his axe and rushes forward.  "Be wary, these are no ordinary foxes.  They are hoar foxes, creatures of the cold."  He brings his axe down in an overhead swing, but the fox easily avoids him, then blasts the barbarian with an ice blast.  But Krah seems completely unaffected by it.  "Haha, foolish animal!  Your ice breath is like a cool breeze to me," he boasts.

Drezden slowly approaches one of the foxes, making soothing sounds and speaking calming words, in an effort to befriend the creature.  It seems to work, because it does not attack him but offers a playful yip instead.

Finally, Taska comes running in, her sabre drawn, and manages to draw first blood on the second fox, wounding it grievously.  "Got it!  You boys just need to work on your speed, is all!"

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Initiative Order

Dell:  4

Rafferty:  1+4 = 5

Malavar:  5

Hoar Fox 02:  4+3 = 7

Krah:  3+6 = 9

Drezden:  7+3 = 10

Hoar Fox 01:  7+3 = 10

Taska:  9+4 = 13

Jaxle:  (N/A)

Dallion:  (N/A)

Round 1!

Dell attempts to soothe the horses and mules.

Rafferty swings his club at Hoar Fox 02 [TH 13] (1d20):  9, miss.
dMerocyX1d20

Malavar moves 20 feet northwest and picks up a fire brand from the fire.

Hoar Fox 02 uses his breath weapon on Raffery, dealing (2d6):  2,4 = 6 damage.
1d61d6
Raffery saves vs. breath weapon [17] (1d20):  12, fail.  He takes 6 damage.  Rafferty is now near death.
1d20
Krah moves 25 feet northwest and swings his great axe with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) at Hoar Fox 01 [TH 14] (1d20+1):  2+1 = 3, miss.

1d20

Drezden moves 20 feet north and tries to use animal empathy on Hoar Fox 01.  Hoar Fox 01 saves vs. rods [14] (1d20-1):  5-1 = 4, fail.  Hoar Fox 01's reaction toward Drezden shifts from Cautious to Indifferent.  It no longer sees him as a threat.
1d20

Hoar Fox 01 uses his breath weapon on Krah, but Krah is completely immune!

Taska moves 10 feet northwest and slashes her sabre at Hoar Fox 02 with great strength (+1 dmg) [TH 14] (1d20):  17, hit for (1d6+2):  6+2 = 8 damage.  Hoar Fox 02 becomes critically wounded.
1d201d6

(OOC:  Actions for Round 2?)

1d20·1d6·1d6·1d20·1d20·1d20·1d20·1d6