Seeing the last of the orcs taken out, Hengar turns his attention to the massing Bear Tribesmen all around him. The warrior picks his way through the scrum and slaws his weapon into one of his foes. A solid hit, but not enough to take him out.

"Damn you! What the blazes is wrong with the lot of you?! Snap out of it!!!" Hengar cries out in frustration.

OOC: Hit for 6 point of damage.
This message was last updated by the player at 14:12, Thu 30 Aug 2018.

Once more, Dalgura calls upon her goddess to bring down sacred flame upon the Bear Tribe chieftain, but the surly king proves quite nimble on his feet and duck-rolls to the side moments before he is bathed in radiant fire.

OOC: DM post, reluctant to use anything other than cantrips or basic attacks when posting on a player's behalf.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:16, Thu 30 Aug 2018.

Kira inwardly groaned as the King went crazy, knowing it had to be the black ice but reasoning wasn't going to work and she took aim at the king in hopes that if they managed to take him down some of the others might back down ... though likely not.

---

07:38, Today: Kira rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  Attack.
07:38, Today: Kira rolled 6 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 3.  Damage.
07:40, Today: Kira rolled 4 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,3.  Sneak - working with Thane.

King Gunvald breaks off of Thane and clashes with Morgrim but is unable to bring the druid, in bear-form, down.

Meanwhile, the tribesmen exchange blows with the adventurers as the battle now rages throughout the audience chamber with furniture getting tossed aside in the struggle. Two tribesmen press the attack against Thane, one of which scores a hit. Off to his right, Hengar too is engaged with a pair of enemies, but Thane manages to turn one's blow aside at the last minute. Morgrim is also struck and one tribesman breaks free of the scrum and charges Kira, who also takes a spear.


OOC: Morgrim, Thane and Kira were each hit for 9 points of damage.

King Gunvald of the Bear Tribe
AC: 13
HP: 42/67 (Morgrim/Thane)

Bear Tribesmen, 6
AC: 12
HP: 6/11 (Thane), 11/11 (Thane), 11/11 (Morgrim), 11/11 (Hengar), 11/11 (Hengar), 11/11 (Kira)

Orcs, 3
AC: 13
HP: 0/15, 0/15, 0/15 (Morgrim)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   25/30    1      NA
Kira      14   12/21    1      NA
Thane     18   22/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Brown Bear: AC 11, HP: 13/34


PCs are UP!

Right in the thick of the matter, Morgrim continues to cast bodies aside left and right though with the orcs now dead he takes care to strike with the back of his formidable paws and knock his foes senseless rather than commit them to the afterlife.

Multiattack.
1) Critical hit for 11 damage, non-lethal
2) Hits AC 23 for 11 damage, non-lethal

Knocks out tribesmen attacking Morgrim and Kira. Unless otherwise specified, Morgrim will continue to use non-lethal attacks on the Tribesmen.

16:54, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 11,11 using 2d8+4,2d6+4 with rolls of 4,3,4,3.  Damage.
16:53, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 25,23 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 20,18.  Multiattack.

Seeing how quickly Grim-Bear was taking down the tribesmen (and also noting that the bear was whacking them and not gutting them with his claws), Thane attempted to also deal a non-lethal blow to the wounded tribal faced off against him.  He grimaced as the strike, in practice, was nowhere near as effective as Thane had envisioned it in theory...

---

Action: Non-lethal attack
22:56, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 6,11 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 1,8.  Melee vs wounded tribesman (AC12).
Natural 1 - do we use fumble rules?

Other: Continue to Protect Hengar

Noticing that Morgrim was batting at the tribesmen with his claws retracted, and that Thane also seemed to be attempting to disable rather than slay their foes (now that all of the Orcs were dead), Arnan switched to blunt-headed arrows that would not pierce armor. He did not favor them, but every now and again a situation seemed to call for such methods.

As a target he chose the wounded tribesman attacking Thane, hoping to inflict enough damage to put the man down.

---

OOC: 14:19, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 17 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 10.  Ranged Attack vs. Wounded Tribesman (AC 12). Hit!

14:19, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 10 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 7.  Damage (Non-Lethal).

Hengar powerfully wades through the chaos and wields his weapon like an extension of his body. The warrior of the Elk tribe does not relish taking up arms against King Gunvald's men, but he does what he must to take them out of the fight as quickly as possible. These are not the real enemy, he tells himself. It's the wielder of the ice, Her...

He clocks one of the tribesman over the head and takes him out...

06:17, Today: Hengar Aensvaard rolled 20,8 using d20+5,d8+3 with rolls of 15,5.  attack.

Dalgura took in the scene around her and saw one of the tribesman veer off to attack Kira.  Knowing how thick skinned and durable the guys were, Dalgura went to the aid of Kira.

As she held out her holy symbol towards the tribesman, she prayed.  "Oh Mighty Sharindlar, please aid me in my endeavor to keep Kira from being harmed.  Make my aim true or at least stop the Tribesman from dodging your brilliant radiance.  In your name I pray...and thank you."



ooc:

Cantrip - Sacred Flame:  range 60' target makes a dex sav throw or take 1d8 radiant damage.  Gains no benefit from cover for the saving through.

09:54, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 5 using 1d8 with rolls of 5.  radiant damage to tribesman - hopefully.

Morgrim slams another two Bear tribesman to the ground, while the rest of the party combine to take down a couple more as well. Seeing the devastation wrought to his loyal kinsmen, King Gunvald collapses to his knees and casts his battle axe aside. "Enough! I yield to your will!" he bellows while surveying the adventurers.

"Now allow me to see to my kinsfolk..." he petitions.


OOC:

King Gunvald of the Bear Tribe
AC: 13
HP: 42/67 (Morgrim/Thane)

Bear Tribesmen, 6
AC: 12
HP: 6/11 (Thane), 0/11 (Thane), 0/11, 0/11, 11/11 (Hengar), 0/11

Orcs, 3
AC: 13
HP: 0/15, 0/15, 0/15 (Morgrim)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   25/30    1      NA
Kira      14   12/21    1      NA
Thane     18   27/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Brown Bear: AC 11, HP: 13/34



This message was last edited by the GM at 17:03, Fri 14 Sept 2018.

With a snarl, Morgrim sits back on his haunches allowing those with the ability to give voice to their thoughts in a more delicate manner the opportunity to address King Gunvald. He leaned protectively over Dalgura, daring the remaining tribesmen to try anything with his dark eyes.

"Let him attend to his people," Hengar says while still breathing heavily from the short but violent conflict.

The Elk tribesmen then turns his attention to the slain orcs and sneers, "But not these vermin..." He then nudges each with a light kick. Satisfied that the three orcs are slain, he turns his attention to the knocked out Bear Tribesmen.

A high pitched squeak quickly rolled down into a pained and frustrated growl as the spear found a tender spot in the liberator or trinkets and hoarder of snacks.  "***hole," she muttered and dropped her bow, drawing her rapier as she prepared to fight up close and personal.  Just as the blade left it's sheath, the king called surrender and she looked at her attacker with narrowed eyes.  "Lucky you," she snarled but didn't disarm.  She didn't trust them or the black ice and refused to be empty handed.

Arnan stood at the ready, his eyes alert and an arrow nocked, and watched the scene unfold.

With the threat of continued hostilities seemingly abated, King Gunvald attends to his fallen companions. With each passing moment, the black ice-influenced leader seems to become more attuned with his better nature and reminded of his sense of honor. There is no honor in standing in concert with orcs, united under the banner of a mysterious witch who would just as soon see the entire region buried beneath Auril's wrath.

King Gunvald begins to break down, consumed beneath the weight of the black ice's influence. Collapsing to the floor, he stares off into the distance with vacant eyes, while mouthing, "must defeat her..." over and over again. He lifts his hand and points to a spiral staircase winding up into darkness. Then, his hand collapses back to the ground.

His tribesmen are likewise draw into the same torpor, seemingly unable or unwilling to take action, their minds wracked by dark thoughts they struggle to keep at bay.

The spiral staircase leads upward for perhaps 40 feet before disappearing through a dark portal higher in the Black Ice Tower. Looking up, from the Audience Chamber, through the portal, the chamber beyond appears to be completely unlit.

OOC: The adventurers are still in the audience chamber, but the spiral staircase is visible all the way up to the dark portal, as the staircase is open and runs around the tower's edge.
This message was last updated by the GM at 21:17, Thu 13 Sept 2018.

"You made the wise choice," Thane assured the Bear King once the massive man cast aside his weapon.  As the King turned to look after his own people, Thane turned to look over his companions.

"Hengar, let me tend that wound before we go further," he cautioned.  "Mightn't have time to do it later in the thick of battle to come."  He took out one of the small, plum sized healing bundles from his healer's pouch and applied it to Hengar.  "There, should heal good as new and not bother you none when we fight next."

Then he turned his attention to Morgrim.  "You've taken a beating, but there's one bleeding wound I can help you with..." he said, getting to work.  Grim's thick hair posed a challenge, but Thane got close enough in smearing the medicating salve to coat the most worrisome of the druid's wounds.

Realizing that none of his other fellows were yet injured, Thane approached the Bear King, who had clearly suffered hurts at the hands of his allies.  "King Gunvald, if you're willin', I can tend your wounds as well.  Our fight was never with you to begin with, but with that Witch who seems to be controlling this damned black ice.  It's just natural medicines, boiled herbs mixed with natural oils.  Even some beeswax, if you'd believe it."

---

Thane will heal Morgrim and Hengar, and optionally King Gunvald (should he assent).

07:51, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 9 using 1d6+7 with rolls of 2.  Heal Beargim (Feat). Heal 9
07:51, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 8 using 1d6+7 with rolls of 1.  Heal Hengar (Feat).  Heal back to max (5)
07:52, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 9 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 5.  Heal Bear King (Feat). Heal 9 plus his level

While Thane tended to others Kira fished out the goodberry Grim had given her but before she could chomp down, Thane approached and tended to her wound.  It wasn't magical healing like Dal's but it worked just fine and was something she appreciated.  "That's a lot better ... thanks," she said with some relief.  She looked up the spiral staircase and frowned, not liking the darkness one bit and hoped they'd be able to see once up there.  A light shudder coursed through her as she wondered if this would be her last fight.

---

Edit: Thane healed 13 points so she's full again.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Mon 17 Sept 2018.

Morgrim planted a lick on the fighter's cheek that swept his hair straight back. Heading towards the stairs he looked back over his shoulder to ensure the others were following, and then he began his ponderous ascent.

Leaving King Gunvald and his beaten followers in the throes of ennui and despondency, the adventurers file up the spiral staircase, higher into the Black Ice Tower. About 40 feet above the audience chamber the staircase emerges onto the tower's second floor. Still standing at the edge of the staircase, the party takes a moment to assess the large chamber that lies beyond...

The staircase emerges into a large open area with a ceiling soaring some 80 feet above its floor. The large, circular chamber is adorned by six tall statues of the Fristmaiden that ring the chamber, and a central dais shaped like a diamond with Auril's snowflake symbol etched in its surface and inlaid with silver.

Glancing upward, 80 feet above the central dais, keen-eyed adventurers might notice a hole in the chamber's ceiling, the same size and shape as the dais below it.

The room is dark, save for whatever light source the adventurers brought with them and the only sound the adventurers hear are the howling winds that batter the tower outside.


OOC: Please double-check the stats as listed below and let me know if any corrections need to be made.

PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   25/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   27/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Brown Bear: AC 11, HP: 22/34


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:17, Sun 16 Sept 2018.

BearGrim paused at the top of the ascent, sniffing the chill air of the open chamber.

Advantage on perception checks involving scent.

13:41, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 24 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 9,19.  Perception.

Kira held the torch high and to the side, hoping she wasn't making a huge target of herself but sadly she needed the light.

---

08:10, Today: Kira rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Perception.

Morgrim detects the faint scent of death in the chill air but he does not have much time to attempt to locate its source because moments after he takes his first deep inhalation, the air inside the temple begins to blow as if in a storm. Then, a fair-skinned woman wearing nothing else but an elk crown and a fur cape descends from the opening above, levitating through the air to stop about 40 feet above the party.

She stares down imperiously at the adventurers gathered on the stairwell, her deep cold blue eyes belying the unbridled rage that stirs within her soul.

Hedrun Arnsfirth, the Ice Witch!

"Whom are these trespassers that sully the Tower of the Ice Witch, Chosen of Auril and Rightful Ruler of All Icewindale!?" she howls. She levitates above the adventurers with her arms outstretched, fingers drifting in the ice-shard strewn whorls that flit about her unclothed body.

Beargrim spread himself out away from the group, forbidding the witch the option of catching all of them at once in some sort of spell effect. A low growl builds in his throat as he keeps his eye on the chosen of Auril.

Thinking similar thoughts to Morgrim, Arnan moved away from the others, in the opposite direction.

Then the archer nocked an arrow and waited for the conversation and blustering to come to an end.

Thane finished his advance up the stairs, stowing his flail and grabbing hold of one of his throwing axes as the awfully damned distracting mostly naked Ice Witch used some kind of magicks to float down from above and hover in midair above him and the party.

He waited a moment in case someone else was going to answer, but nobody was so bold, and thus he cleared his own throat to speak up.

"Just some honest folk that don't think you being in charge of things up North here is such a good idea for anyone, except for you, of course, your nakedness..." he replied with a Luskan drawl and eyed her with perfect pirate lasciviousness.  Such talk and manner were unusual for him, but given the circumstances, he thought that sort of response might distract her for a few moments at least.  And honestly, it had been a while, and the sight of her was very distracting...and if he were going to die here, he'd at least like to have some fun banter before the end came.

"It's really a shame it's come down to this, all the deaths and whatnot, when you could have stayed where you were and birthed a whole new generation of honorable fighting men and women.  That would have left a real lasting legacy," he continued, adopting a serious and pragmatic tone.  He gestured at her with his throwing axe, "I mean, come on, you'd have had suitors stretching all the way back to Luskan if you'd kept to your station, would you not?  And you'd have been loved instead of feared and abandoned.  So...why all this?  What's the point of this?"

---

Thane is playing to her vanity and her need to be accepted / loved in order to get her talking, and gain time for his allies to get "set".
This message was last edited by the player at 01:37, Wed 19 Sept 2018.