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 
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 
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 
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 
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 
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.
lostsole31
  "Swarms of ravens serve the Pale Tower and act as spies,"   Nadya explains.   "The few that escaped will surely report your presence here - strangers in southern garb. We must hurry to Waldsby, where hopefully I can hide you before the ravens summon the tower's soldiers to the village."  
Ostoril
Moorgram nods.   "Then let us hurry."  
lostsole31
Nadya finally leads the PCs to her home village of Waldsby, on the northeastern fringes of the Hoarwood Forest. Once in the village, the PCs draw plenty of attention from the locals. Nadya greets those residents concerned for her safety, but many of the villagers stare and point at the PCs before whispering concernedly and leading their children away. Others are intrigued, hoping that the newcomers have brought new wares from the south to trade, and not yet realizing the PCs aren’t merchants (or their fabulous enslaved beasts of burden). Nadya does her best to lead the PCs past the throng, taking them to her home—a stout, unassuming cabin on the edge of town. She introduces the PCs to her remaining children, twin boys named Orm and Mjoli, as well as an old woman named Kashka who looks after boys during Nadya’s frequent travels. At this point, the PCs have a chance to rest. Nadya provides the PCs with a hot meal and warm beds (or warm stabling), bidding them to stay put while she delivers her food shipment to the fortified storehouse on the other side of the village and makes arrangements to better outfit them for their travels in Irrisen. When she returns soon after, Nadya brings a collection of winter clothing (equivalent to a traveler’s outfit for each PC) with her, urging the PCs to wear the more common peasant garb of Waldsby to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

The town is cold, but magic and plenty of posted fires keep it warm enough that a traveler's outfit suffices. Note that these traveler's outfits are in the garb of traditional Irriseni, not just "generic," so wearing southern style - or banging around in southern-style cold weather clothing - would bring attention to you.  She also has saddle blankets in a more northern style as well.

Thereafter, the PCs can rest, recover from any injuries, and replenish their resources before following through on the Black Rider’s assigned task. They are also free to explore the village and learn more about the people and culture of Irrisen. Note that this far north, very few of the villagers speak Taldane, the “Common” tongue of the Inner Sea region. Most of Irrisen’s peasants speak Skald instead. If none of the PCs speak Skald, Nadya can act as a translator for them in their interactions with Waldsby’s residents.  Note that Lady Argentea and Moorgram are the only two members of the party that speak Skald. The two beasts (Windrunner and Arthog), the faerie (Ten-Penny), and the .... wut? (Darkhelm) .... don't speak Skald.

What do you want to do the first day in Waldsby? Rest weary hearts and souls? 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You don't feel as if completely resting for the day will go against the Black Rider's Mantle.
 
Ostoril
Moorgram dons the local clothing and waits for Nadya to return, offering to help cook as thanks for the shelter and guidance.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moorgram will relax and wait to find out more about the town and it's people/customs before running around and drawing more attention to himself.
 
Kvard51
Windrunner tries to stay out of sight while spending time gaining understanding of his new form and abilities.
lostsole31
Moorgram, you have headaches and start seeing blurred or double vision. Do you call it early and go to bed?
Ostoril
Feeling unwell, Moorgram goes to bed hoping it is merely fatigue.
lostsole31
    Starday, 26 Erastus 4713 AR   
  Weather: -15 / -30 F. Sparse flurries (1/2" snow). Ground cover (6" snow). Winds N 20 mph. Wind Chill: -40 / -55 F.   

The next morning .... everyone does what they do for the morning, and the old woman of the house (Kashka) invites the party to the main dining room. A quick shelter had been put up yesterday so that the two "mounts" (Arthog and Windrunner) could have a window to the main room. More will be built over today so that it becomes a temporary stable to house them while they can interface with the household, but for now that makes for a cold breakfast despite the hot meal.  The fire is roaring quite well to try to keep up with what amounts to a wide open window/door.

The PCs should soon realize from reports from Darkhelm that Waldsby (and its close proximity to the Hoarwood Forest) eerily mirrors the village of Heldren in Taldor, down to the location of many of its buildings. Some of the village’s residents even bear an uncanny resemblance to villagers the PCs knew in Heldren. This comes across as a bit otherworldly and far too unlikely to be a coincidence.

The PCs also learn that everyone in Waldsby fears Nazhena Vasilliovna, the White Witch who rules this area and lives in the Pale Tower, a stronghold less than a day’s ride northwest of Waldsby. The villagers actively gossip about the many soldiers from the Pale Tower who recently marched into the Hoarwood searching for someone. Some of the villagers think the PCs might be the soldiers’ quarry, and wonder if the soldiers will come to Waldsby looking for them.

Despite these concerns, Nadya does her best to make the PCs feel welcome, and she promises to introduce them to locals and recommend equipment to purchase that will help them survive in wintry Irrisen.
  
"For the help you have given me, I have a pair of magical snowshoes I can give your group, though given your makeup I imagine on Moorgram or Darkhelm would seek to use them. I hope it speeds you on your journey once you're gone from Waldsby, wherever it takes you. You have provided closure for me by discovering my daughter's fate."  
 
 Spoiler: Moogram 
You healed no more or less than expected as you did have some activity and a fight yesterday. Every now and then today, you suffer weird blurring or doubling of vision. Not constant or enough to act as a detriment, but still.
 
Ostoril
Moorgram simply shrugs at the thanks.

After some time and some vision blurring Moorgram covers his eyes and wipes his hand across his face.   "I am unfamiliar with this region and it's illnesses, but my vision has been... unfocused since I have arrived. I thought it merely exhaustion from our journey, but it persists. Is there a healer in town?"  
lostsole31
Nadya says,   "We could go to see the village priest, Rolf Halzberg, but as a priest he is more into the official functions of ceremony than being a healer, and he may not even help or might ask for payment. Usually, powerful adventuring groups like yours have at least one competent healer ... doesn't yours?"  
Ostoril
  "Our healer stayed behind."   Moorgram says dismissively before his face grows dark.   "My friend aided me in healing, but now I have only a little coin, but I would be happy to exchange my services as a man of the woods."  
lostsole31
  "Keep your coin,"   says Nadya.   "It's likely I am just as good a healer as Rolf. With all of my travels and the various afflictions one can face on the road - and adding canine health to that for the sled dogs - I've had to learn the basic healer's craft. What ails you?"  
Ostoril
  "My vision, from time to time it has been blurring and doubling."    Moorgram replies.
lostsole31
  "Do you consent to me doing a physical on you?"   she asks.
Ostoril
Moorgram nods.   "Go ahead."  
lostsole31
She will do a full health inspection, asking various questions. Moorgram's own knowledge of the healing arts are actually quite helpful to her, as he responds and notes various aches or minor things in a manner that helps her to refocus. His eyes don't have any issues while this is happening.

Once the inspection is over.   "I can't find anything definitively wrong with you. When you want to focus on something, you seem to be fine, so we'll have to wait and see on that. Your reflexes are good, so you don't have the dizzy sickness, which sometimes comes with trouble focusing vision. Other than some sores in your mouth and what appears to be minor chills - likely caused by not being acclimated to being cold all the time - you're fine. Quite fit, in fact."  

Windrunner, while that is happening, you were just staring on respectfully from the dining room window ... a great large beast overlooked with your relative inactivity. You can't help notice that the house - while not a wreck - definitely looks like it hasn't been cleaned or straightened up in awhile.
Ostoril
Moorgram let's out a sigh.   "Well, let's hope it is just some fatigue from the travel. Thank you."  
lostsole31
For the next few days, do either of you (alone, or with a "master") seek to explore Waldsby? or, do you try to keep a completely low profile at Nadya's?
Ostoril
Feeling uncomfortable in this distant and uncertain land, Moorgram asks:   "Would it be possible to get a tour of the town. Its more suspicious being strangers trying to not be seen than acting as visitors, don't you think? Besides, if something happens, we should at least know our way around."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moorgram would ask for a tour of the town so in case something happens  he could at least find his way to the major places of note. He also will  pay attention to his dizzy spells and look for any similarities or  patterns that might trigger them if they persist.
 
lostsole31
Nadya admits that a tour of the town would be a way to quell the more fantastical scuttlebutt that might occur by getting in front of rumors. If she (carefully) shows you to the townsfolk, they might be more willing to help in case of danger.

 Windrunner , do you join the tour?
Kvard51
  "I, too, would like to see your town.  If you think it ok that I be included."    Windrunner says, looking at both Nadya and Moorgram.
lostsole31
They will get horse blankets and the like, and have Windrunner's wings underneath the packed blankets, and horse's hood (or two) loosely placed atop. Not enough for a true "disguise" but enough so that an aerial observer might miss the beak and won't see Windrunner's colorful plumage. As such, Lady Argentea will guide Windrunner instead of riding.

Darkhelm will be packed under clothes so that very little of her face will show through.

Arthog and Ten-Penny will stay behind to watch over the house.

And so, a tour of the town begins.

During the tour, more and more Moorgram has this doubled vision. At first, yes, there is a sort of "dizziness" that comes from trying to track everything visually .... the dizziness (which slowly starts to abate) comes from the strange visual phenomena, and NOT the other way around as might be expected.

At one point, a man is pulling a heavy sack off a cart from an unbalanced position. Moorgram sees the man fall and his head crack against the easement and by reflex goes out to .... help the man that had not yet fallen by supporting his back. It seems this weird pre-image effect is precognitive, not just a doubling or a general blurring!
Ostoril
  "Careful."   Moorgram sternly tells the man before returning to his group. He rubs his eyes and draws his hand down his face.  "It seems it is no illness, nor fatigue."   he states to Nadya, saying no more of it until they can be away from prying eyes and ears.
lostsole31
She doesn't stop the tour short, though, and the tour completed, the motley group returns to Nadya's disheveled house.
Ostoril
When they arrive back at Nadya's, Moorgram looks around to make sure nothing seems out of the ordinary.   "I saw that man fall and split his skull. But I was able to intervene. Perhaps it was delusion, or maybe I saw a possibility."  
lostsole31
For the first couple days of laying low at Nadya's house ...  Moorgram ,  Windrunner  ... is there anything important you would want to do?
Kvard51
Windrunner doe his best to stay out of sight during the day, staying in the stable and talking to Lady Argentea or Arthog as he gets the opportunity.  At night, he works on learning the limits of his new body, as long as there are no crows or ravens around.
Ostoril
Moorgram lacks much coin to resupply, but he takes the next few days to take stock of what kind of equipment and supplies would be needed to make his way to the Pale Tower and asking Nadya about what they might face on their way their and what they might expect upon arrival. Finding no warnings of particular obstacles of note, Moorgram decides to save what little coin he has and spends his time trying to gain a handle on his blurring vision so that it hopefully does not become a hindrance in battle, making some small trips into the village (if Nadya approves) to hopefully provide opportunity for his vision as well as satisfy some of the townsfolk curiosity.
lostsole31
Three days go by, and in that time, Moorgram feels convinced that these weird visions give him preternatural knowledge of the very immediate future. Unfortunately, the majority of times he tries to make use of this knowledge, he is very clumsy and fails bigger than on the rare times he "catches" the right visual stream for a minor benefit or insight. This only seems to make him angrier and angrier, a great well of rage building inside.

Another side of what feeds both his insight and his rage is that his mind seems to expand almost daily, giving him greater knowledge and a greater sense of doom as a result of the curse of knowledge, and his current impotency in his witch powers in all but, possibly, his hexes.

Meanwhile, over the course of those three days, the state of the house gets only worse, and worse, and worse.  Nadya seems a little worried, though she does nothing to clean herself.
Ostoril
  "It's been enough time."   He rubs away the frustration from his face with the palm of his hand.   "It's time I go have a word or two with the witch. If any of you are coming best you get ready."
  
He turns to address Nadya herself.   "Thank you for your hospitality."   He pauses a moment thinking.   "You seem bothered, is there anything I can do to repay you before heading out?"  
lostsole31
  "Actually, speaking of hospitality,"   says Nadya,   "those of you who are at least human-presenting with help - Lady Argentea, Darkhelm, and Moorgram - you've been invited over to a dinner at the White Weasel. It seems the Goltiaevas heard about you and want to meet you. My apologies to your mount, Lady Argentea ... and to Arthog and Ten-Penny. We need to minimize your presences. Perhaps making good inroads with the some of the townsfolk will do well before a dire assault on the Pale Tower?"  
Ostoril
Moorgram's eye twitches slightly.   "I am not one for social engagements. But I suppose it would be best to not make enemies or alienate the townsfolk."   He sighs.   "What are the customs in these parts for such things? Is it expected to bring gifts, or food? I am not much of one for small talk, but perhaps if I were to bring a hand made gift of some form that would distract from personal questions. Or would that be rude in these parts? What if they ask us what we are doing? Do you think they would run to the Pale Tower if they knew our purpose?  " Moorgram groans.   "I just wish I would be back in my cabin living my peaceful life with Gingey once again. Surely Gingey would know what to do."   His voice trails off at this last bit as his eyebrows furrow.
lostsole31
  "If you have something to bring, bring it, sure, but it isn't expected,"   says Nadya.   "I will accompany you since you are  my  out-of-town friends. I'll bring a trinket - a small, carved piece of ivory from a mammoth tusk."  
Ostoril
  "If it would be appropriate, and you would permit me to use your kitchen, I will bake a pie for the occasion."   Moorgram offers. Providing Nadya offers no complaint, he will set about gathering the appropriate ingredient from what is available and tidying up the kitchen as best as he can to make a pie for the dinner.
lostsole31
  "Only tidy up  exactly  what you need for your job and no more, please,"   Nadya pleads.   "No rhetoric about how a fully clean work area helps you. If you can follow that restriction, you may use my kitchen."  
Ostoril
Moorgram looks at her curiously. After a pause he responds,   "As you wish."   He then heads to the kitchen, cleaning a small section of space to work the dough and lighting the oven. He mixes the dough in his own pot and rolls it out with a borrowed rolling pin, which he laments he did not bring his own. Lining his skillet with the dough, and leaving a little bit aside to cover it, he then dices and boils some local berries to make a filling, doing his best to season it with the spices at hand. He then pours the filling into his pie and lays a lattice of dough strips across the top. He places the pie in the oven and sets about cleaning the tools and space he used to make it. He also takes a few minutes to clean himself of the inevitable flour and mess that always accompanies baking.

As it bakes, he examines the state of the kitchen with his eyes, wondering why Nadya would be so against a hand in cleaning. He keeps an eye and nose on the pie, making sure as best he can that it does not burn in an unfamiliar oven, carefully removing it when it seems done. He moves to let it cool on a windowsill like he would back home but remembers the bitter cold here. With a frown he simply lets it cool on the counter until it is time to leave. As the pie rests, he also sits down to wait until it is time to go.
lostsole31
As Moorgram waits for the appointed time, he remembers stories of house fey that have adopted a household and clean for them, but once a house fey moves in, if the household notices the help but brings attention to it ... especially by continuing to clean some of the house themselves, it offends the house fey and they leave.
Ostoril
"Curious." Moorgram mutters to himself making a mental note to avoid upsetting such a creature, as well as to ask Nadya while they are away as to why it seems such a creature is not cleaning the house if it is supposed to, but he keeps his thoughts to himself for now as he waits.
lostsole31
Soon, it's time, and the dinner-event PCs (sans Darkhelm, who can't figure how to take down hood and like without seeming ungrateful at a dinner) and Nadya are set to go to the White Weasel to a private room while the Goltiaevas have their staff taking care of things with the tavern itself. They are gracious hosts, but also completely shameless busybodies as they thank Moorgram for the pie but then try into folks' background. Still, they are easily taken off task by Lady Argentea, and there is trouble in paradise as other matters seem to have them harping on each other (Katrina usually browbeating Emil).

The dinner they make is .... average. Not bad, just mediocre. They serve a simple roast with potatoes and carrots. When it comes time for Moorgram's pie, it turns out that is average as well, but as with the Goltiaevas dinner, everyone is about pleasantries (surely).

 Moorgram , they may be trying to spare you, but when you taste your pie, you find it to be rather bland ... so, not even average but actually not very good. In fact, you don't feel well when you try to force down a second bite.
Ostoril
Moorgram is taken aback at his miserable offering.   "I am sorry. My pies are usually much better."   He stammers as he questions his own abilities and thinks back to the making of the pie for anything he did wrong.   "Maybe the seasonings? Or maybe I used some spoiled berries?"   He mutters to himself. He thinks back to the state of the kitchen and house fey and resolves to have a discussion with Nadya later about it.   "Please, don't eat any more of it. Forgive me for bringing an ill suited pie to such a graciously offered dinner."  
lostsole31
It seems that everything is happening at once, Moorgram is so preoccupied with his own pie and blathering, he seemed to have missed some other exchange between Lady Argentea and Karina Goltiaeva. By the time Moorgram is no longer inwardly focused, even despite talking about his pies, he sees a crossbow in Emil's hand trained at Lady Argentea.   
 "Leave town!"    the barkeep shrieks.   "Leave town and never come back!"  

Lady Argentea is remarkably controlled, despite Nadya being completely taken by surprise. She puts a hand on Moorgram's shoulder,   "We are leaving, not staying to meet force with force."   And more quietly she says to Moorgram,    "They're just scared commoners with simple weapons. Don't seek violence because it is offered."

 
    Moorgram , do you get up and simply leave to find out later what might have happened, or do you escalate? 
Ostoril
Moorgram stands, his nostrils flare are he stares down Emil for a brief moment. His blood boils as he contemplates putting the Emil to sleep or wrenching the crossbow from his grip, but the threat is not directly pointed at him. He lets out a deep huff and turns to leave, his fist clenched and ready to strike if anyone dares to lay a hand on him.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Ready an unarmed strike if anyone attacks him in range.
Move to leave.
 
lostsole31
Lady Argentea will not discuss things until back home (and the rest of the party is present).

  "The hostess spiked my tea,"   she says to the assembled group.   "It was supposed to make me more compliant, and she suggested I return whence I came, bringing my friends with me. When it was obvious I was unmoved by the spiked tea, that is when Emil panicked. I think they might be informants for the Pale Tower and tried to warn us off."  
Ostoril
Moorgram huffs.   "We should be off in the morning then."   He turns to Nadya,   "Do you think they are any daring enough to try anything in the night?"  
lostsole31
  "Nazhena is swift and merciless as all Jadwiga,"   admits Nadya.   "I would normally recommend--"  

There is a banging at the door.   "Pale Tower Guard! Open in the name of the White Witch of the land!  " calls a gruff man's voice from the other side.

   "Too late to hide!"    hisses Nadya.    "Windrunner, Arthog ... you go around. Ten-Penny, too, if you can find her. I will open the door wide and let them in and we flank them. I will cut them all down until I drown in blood for the death they visited upon my daughter Thora."   

Lady Argentea nods to Windrunner, with his face poking in through the kitchen window with Arthog.
Ostoril
Moorgram moves for his greataxe, hoping to use it to fell the guards as they enter and moves to guard the door.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Intended actions, time permitting.
Move to grab greataxe if it would have been resting somewhere at this point.
Move to side of door.
Ready to cast slumber hex on first guard to enter the doorway.
 
lostsole31
Moorgram grabs his axe and moves to the side of the door.

 Windrunner ?
Kvard51
Windrunner slips out of the stall and works his way to the corner of the house, planning to come in behind the guards, closing off their path of escape.
lostsole31
Nadya opens the door wide, herself to the side of the doorway, and  several of the Pale Guard come straight in but stop, realizing at once  that strangers are here.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T29:    Darkhelm is on the lead soldier in a flash, short sword drawn. She  makes a brilliant guarded strike that hits the guard in the side of the  chest for  9  while gaining great defensive advantage.

 R1T22:   Windrunner ,  outside you saw four soldiers move to enter the house, while another  four have taken up a defensive position on the porch ... shields and  swords drawn and readied. What do you do?
Kvard51
Seeing the soldiers set themselves at the door, Windrunner tenses his muscles and prepares for combat.  He charges the group.  As he runs toward the door, he yells, "On me!" towards Arthog just before he crashes into the first guard.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
SwA: Enter Pugilist's Stance
FRA Charge Lavender (closest to Arthog) and Overrun w/ the Bullrush w/ the first Claw attack: Claw 1:  (1d20+18)[ 22 ] 
Claw 2:  (1d20+15)[ 21 ]  for  (1d4+4)[ 8 ]  x2 Slashing Damage4
Bite:  (1d20+13)[ 17 ]  for 1d6+9[/roll] x2 Slashing Damage
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:  Seeing the soldiers set themselves at the door, Windrunner tenses his  muscles and prepares for combat. He charges the group.  As he runs  toward the door, he yells,   "On me!"   towards Arthog just before he  crashes into the first guard, tearing into the woman's chest with a claw for  13 .

 R1T21:  Arthog waves his horn around, and the two guards start to glow a ghostly blue radiance ... as does Windrunner!

 R1T20:  Inside the house,  Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
  "Night is a time for rest, not fighting."   Moorgram says to the second warrior in the line as he steps forward hefting his axe.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Cast Slumber hex on blue.
5ft step East.
 
lostsole31
 R1T20:    "Night is a time for rest, not fighting."   Moorgram says to the second warrior in the line as he steps forward hefting his axe. Blue drops to the ground, asleep.

 R1T19-16:  "Brown" moves inside, over his sleeping fellow, and up to Nadya and Moorgram. His sword drawn, it clips Nadya in the head for  9 . Outside, "Pink" draws her sword and attacks Windrunner, but misses.

 R1T15:  Ten-Penny is standing on top of a bookcase. She casts a spell and two bolts streak down to hit Brown for a total of   5 force  .

 R1T13:   Lady Argentea takes up a stance that focuses on defensive shield work  while also calling out her usual defensive suggestions for those near  her. She steps north of Nadya and drops her spear right into Brown's  right foot for  21 , and Brown drops.

 R1T11:  Green moves in and engages Lady Argentea with his sword.

 R1T9:   Blood spattering her white hat and cloak, Nadya shakes clear and steps  back. Though she has a bow in hand ... and handaxe and pick at her side  ... after getting rattled like that in her own home with her children in  the home, something takes over her.  Everything in the room rattles and  there is a thrumming sound that increases to a deafening crescendo  before Nadya shakes her fist at Green and screams. Green isn't harmed,  but a powerful unseen force screeches forth to slam into his armor.

Nobody is more surprised at this than Nadya. The strange room-filling sound and energy dissipates.

 R1T8:   Outside, Purple steps off the porch stairs and swings, but Windrunner  ducks completely out of the way. The sword continues in an arc to hit  with a loud "whong" against the porch bannnister, and the force  transmits to the guard's arm to cause him to drop the sword and take  2 STR .

 R1T4:  Indoors, Red engages sword to axe against Moorgram.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T29:   Darkhelm reaches out with her blackened hand (for in Nadya's house, she  wears clothes, but is no disguised) and touches Red's chest. Red  breathes with a strain for a second, but then resists whatever is  happening.

 R2T22:   Outside ...  Windrunner , what do you do?

Arthog on deck, Moorgram in the hole ...
Kvard51
Remaining in Pugilist's Stance, Windrunner continues his attack upon the soldier in front of him.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
FRA: Claw Attack  (1d20+13)[ 25 ]  for  (1d4+4)[ 7 ]  +  (1d6)[ 4 ]  damage
Claw Attack  (1d20+13)[ 17 ]  for  (1d4+4)[ 5 ]  +  (1d6)[ 5 ]  damage
Bite Attack  (1d20+13)[ 23 ]  for  (1d6+9)[ 11 ]  +  (1d6)[ 5 ]  damage
5' Step to NW
 
lostsole31
 R2T22:  Remaining in  Pugilist's Stance ,  Windrunner continues his attack upon the soldier in front of him.  He  sends a claw raking across Pink's neck, and as the soldier falls,  Windrunner completely murks him with his other claw and bite.

 R2T21:   Arthog moves forward, and has to go partway up the stairs and stomp on  the dead guard to be able to reach Purple. A single stroke through the  arm and into the chest drops the guardsman.

 R2T20:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Ten-Penny on deck, Green in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgrams blood pulses as he brings his axe to bear against the foes who downed his dear friend. With a roar he swings his axe with all his strength hoping to fell the man before him with a single stroke.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Engage Risky Strike.
Rage? (not sure if normal rage or what, but seems appropriate.)
Greataxe:  (1d20+6)[ 13 ]  to hit (plus whatever from raging) for  (1d12+9)[ 12 ]  slashing damage (plus whatever from raging)
 
lostsole31
 R2T20:  Moorgram's blood pulses as he brings his axe to  bear against the foes who  downed his dear friend. With a roar he swings his axe with all his  strength hoping to fell the man before him with a single stroke. He put  too much emphasis on power and not enough on accuracy, however, as his  axe bites the guard's hauberk but doesn't penetrate.

 R2T15:  From the top of a bookshelf, Ten-Penny casts another spell and two arcane bolts rip into Red for   8 force  .

 R2T13:  Lady Argentea gives a cry,   "Let none live to tell the tale, but all else know of the story!"     She's pretty good at this war cry bit, because the heroes indoors all  feel pretty pumped by that. She stabs Green in the left shoulder with  her spear for  13 , causing the man to gasp in labored shock and pain.

 R2T11:   Yet that man has a mission, and that mission will not be denied him  before death. He tries to get out of that corner, but Lady Argentea's  spear finds his hand for  8 , dropping him.

 R2T9:   Nadya mentally recovers from whatever psychotic break she just had. She  looks at the last standing soldier, and now with purpose begins to  swirl her hand about. Again, everything in the entire room seems to  rattle, shutter, and shake up until the point that she releases a mote  of pure coalesced force that hits the man square in the face for  15 , disfiguring him and dropping him.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T29:  Darkhelm steps over fallen soldiers to go outside and see that the quads (i.e., quadrupeds) already handled business.   "Clear outside and inside,"   she says.

 R3T22:   Windrunner , is there anything you do, or do you drop out of initiative?

Arthog on deck, Moorgram in the hole ...
Kvard51
Windrunner, upon hearing Darkhelm's declaration, leaps into the air to fly over the town and immediate environs searching for watchers...

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Fly around the area looking for other foes/crows who might report back or ambush the group.
 Double move in initiative to start, in the direction of the witch's tower.
 
lostsole31
 R3T22:  Windrunner, upon hearing  Darkhelm' Lady Argentea's declaration, leaps into the air to  fly over the town and immediate environs searching for watchers.

 R3T20:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram lets out a deep breath and let's his emotions calm. He then moves to examine the man he commanded to sleep.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Drop Rage.
Move east to adjacent to blue.
Check if blue is just asleep.
 
lostsole31
 R3T20:  Moorgram lets out a deep breath and let's his  emotions calm, but he finds that even though his adrenaline spiked for a  few seconds, he finds himself winded. He then moves to examine the man  he commanded to sleep. It seems that guard is simply sleeping, but will  wake up in seconds for sure!

 R3T18:  The man beneath Moorgram takes  5  to the head from something blunt, just as a tiny creature holding a club appears, shrieking and with ugly tears,    "That's for killing Thora, you bastards!"   

Of  course, an attempted CDG from so small a creature was sure to fail, and  the man - though still prone with his sword on the floor - awakens.

 R3T15:  Ten-Penny fires down another  magic missile  at the stirring guard for   5 force  .

 R3T13:  Lady Argentea approaches, astride a fallen guardsman. He squirms to not be hit and she lances him in his left knee for  15 , powerfully enough for him to stop moving.

 Moorgram , do you have any issues with those present CDG-ing the remaining guards?
Ostoril
Moorgram looks at the little creature.   "Let him have his vengeance."   He steps back to survey the surroundings for any other guards who may still stir.
lostsole31
 Moorgram 

The little creature finishes off the formerly sleeping-guard, as Darkhelm, Moorgram, and Lady Argentea make sure the remaining Pale Guards are dead, and rendezvous with Arthog outside, but Windrunner is nowhere to be seen.

What do you do?


 

 Windrunner 

While you have a good general sense of direction, and you have a vague memory of certain routes that Lady Argentea would ride in the Prefecture of Zimar in Taldor, yet you don't know in which direction the Pale Tower might be, and you don't sense any other lurking forces while you're on the wing.

What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram looks to Nadya and the little creature.   "A friend of yours?"   He looks about.   "Are there any others about?"  
lostsole31
The little guy breaks down sobbing.

  "I have no idea what you are referring to,"   says Nadya, with the fey bawling a few feet from her, pointedly not looking at the fey.   "But if you see something magical, just accept there is magic in the world that can be good, and go about your day. Otherwise, acknowledging good magic might make one entitled."  

Ten-Penny flies down - a tiny fey herself now - to put her arms around the white-haired, tiny gnome-like creature. And she'll comfort him with whispers.  She looks up to Moorgram, who surely is looking down at them. She does the double-eye poke gesture to her eyes, then points to you, then points randomly in another direction.
Ostoril
Moorgram rubs his eyes.   "Must be something with my eyes again."   He looks back at Nadya.   "They got here fast. Should we get out of your hair before more show up? Do you think you'll be safe if we leave?"   He feels his blood boiling at the thought of more guards showing up.
lostsole31
  "The Pale Tower is a bit aways, no,"   says Nadya as she shuts the door to keep out the cold.   "Right now, there is probably a patrol leader and more soldiers at the White Weasel, waiting for these guards to check in. That may be expected for the Goltiaeva's, and who cares to them, but if these men don't check in, that patrol leader might cause trouble for my neighbors. I think we should actually go the White Weasel and take them out. Doing so will further dent the Pale Tower's total number of guards."  
Kvard51
Unable to remember which direction Nadya had pointed when telling them about the Pale Tower, Windrunner settles for flying a full circuit of the village before landing close to his starting point. He circles around to the dining room window,   "No watchers outside of town, no ravens flitting about, ready to do mischief,"   he says, striding across the packed ground toward Lady Argentea and the others.
Ostoril
  "You know this witch better than I."   He says to Nadya.   "Now that we are gathered again let us go avenge this intrusion and silence this evenings disruption."   He hefts his axe and begins to make for the White Weasel.
lostsole31
  "Friends, can you give me a moment, please?"   asks Nadya before Moorgram is out the door (but that doesn't  necessarily  stop him, either).   "I need to do something here first."  
 Moorgram , do you halt and wait or leave Nadya to do what ever she needs to do alone?

 Windrunner , how about you?
Ostoril
Moorgram stops and waits.
Kvard51
Windrunner follows Moorgram's lead and nods his assent to Nadya.
lostsole31
Nadya looks to Ten-Penny and gestures.  Ten-Penny comforts the little wizened little fey.

Finally, Ten-Penny comes forward to gather folk.   "His name is Hatch, he's the domovoi - house spirit - of the Petska house. She loved little Thora, and heard about her death while eavesdropping and now he is beside himself with spent wrath for a creature that is not usually for violence. It seems that is why the house's cleaning ... looks like it does. He passes along his thanks to you big hero types for being willing to strike back at the Pale Witch and her minions. He will take another day or two, Nadya, and he will return to cleaning. You need not seek to comfort, acknowledge, gift, or bribe him."  

Nod-ya nads, er, Nadya nods,   "I understand. Thank you, Ms. Tacey.  Okay, I am ready."  

Lady Argentea fully saddles up Windrunner (because that takes a few minutes), and then everyone is ready to go.

The party gets up to the front of the White Weasel.  Lady Argentea dismounts Windrunner and says,   "Two guards inside at least. One was at this window, but moved away. No surprise."  
Ostoril
  "They are likely waiting for us. Let us not be rude and disappoint them."   Moorgram says as he moves up to the side of the door. Hefting his axe in one hand he makes ready to open the door, standing to the side in case they decide to fire crossbows his way. He looks back to make sure everyone is ready before opening the door.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move 2 squares North West to be 1 to the side of the door instead of in front (unless I cannot open from not directly in front, then i move there.)
Hold Great Axe in 1 hand.
Wait until people give a sign to open the door.
 
lostsole31
Lady Argentea gets astride Windrunner and is right at the door, ready to move in while mounted. Darkhelm is on the other door from Moorgram. Nadya and Ten-Penny are back a rank, with Arthog off to the side.

Lady Argentea nods to the two door openers, who then open the door.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T27:  Arthog passes everyone right off, and using a  combination of ground movement and short duration, low altitude flight  goes to the far northeast of the White Weasel's common room to gore a  soldier in the belly for  27 , dropping him instantly. Arthog continues past and around that wall to hook south and west to get closer to another guard.

 R1T20  :  From within, steel-vs.-horn is heard clashing.

 R1T19:   Lady Argentea adjusts her shield and spurs Windrunner forward in a  charge. Her spear is deflected by a shield, but Windrunner successfully  overbears the man to the ground while the rider keeps him moving north a  little more before turning to regard a seated soldier who has some  manner of insignia.

 R1T18:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram looks through the doorway at the guard ready to ambush.   "Sleep you fool and stay out of this fight."   he says as he gives the man an angry look before striding inside with his axe ready.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Cast slumber hex on the soldier I can see.
Move East, North East, East to be adjacent to soldier who is hopefully asleep now.

Edit: Forgot to bold and color text.
 
lostsole31
 R1T18:  Moorgram looks through the doorway at the guard ready to ambush.   "Sleep you fool and stay out of this fight,"    he says as he gives the man an angry look before striding inside with  his axe ready. The guard slumps against the corner, slides down, and  begins to softly snore.

 R1T17:  Ten-Penny zooms  in and lands on the floor right next to the guard that Argentrunner  bowled over. She touches the guard, who begins to laugh hysterically.

 R1T16:  Darkhelm moves in while drawing her short sword and stabs Green in the back for  8 . She holds her head briefly though, as if dealing with a headache.

 R1T15:  Blue laughs fully, but still tries to stand. In doing so, Lady Argentea stabs him in the chest for  11   as Windrunner thrusts his beak into his entrails for  10 , dropping him.

 R1T13 : The officer at the fire spins around out of his chair and readies his sword and shield.

 R1T8:  Nadya moves in and fires off her newly discovered power, but misses.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T27:  Arthog gores Green in the right knee for  30 , killing him outright from shock. Arthog then makes his way across the entrance from Moorgram.

 R2T19:  Lady Argentea fails to stab the officer with her spear.

 R2T19+:   Windrunner , there is no guidance to move or control you this round. What do you do?

Moorgram on deck, Ten-Penny on deck ...
Kvard51
Windrunner steps to the side of Yellow and unleashes his full might on the soldier, looking to end the battle quickly.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
5' step to the NE.
FRA: Claw (Risky Strike)-  (1d20+11)[ 13 ]  for  (1d4+8)[ 10 ]  Slashing Damage
Claw (Risky Strike)-  (1d20+11)[ 30 ]  for  (1d4+8)[ 10 ]  Slashing Damage
Bite (Risky Strike)-  (1d20+11)[ 27 ]  for  (1d6+13)[ 17 ]  Slashing Damage
 
lostsole31
 R2T19+:  Windrunner tries to step to the side of Yellow,  but a large bar is in the way. He unleashes his full might on the  soldier, looking to end the battle quickly. The man ducks the first  claw, but exposes his shield arm and Windrunner gashes his shield hand  for  10  with the other claw before following up with a beak to the left knee for  17 .

 R2T18:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram looks down at the man at his feet and lifts his axe up high and brings it down with all his might on the slumbering guard, granting him an eternal rest.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Coup de grace the sleeping guard.
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Moorgram looks down at the man at his feet and lifts his axe up high and  brings it down with all his might on the slumbering guard, granting him  an eternal rest.

 R2T17:  Ten-Penny likewise CDG's Blue, to put him out of his misery.

 R2T16:  Something is happening with Darkhelm, like she is concentrating on something that takes both time and effort ...

 R2T13:   The officer (Yellow) realizes the battle has turned against him. He  switches his sword to his shield hand, and focuses his shield on  defense, steps between the chair and the fireplace to give him some  cover, and with his now free hand he takes out what appears to be a hand  vanity mirror. Looking into the mirror he says,   "Radosek!  My patrol is overrun in Waldsby. Black Rider not located, but  southerners with strange powers have attacked. I am lost. Make the  preparations."  
 R2T8:  Nadya runs  to the bar and leaps up onto the corner, now eye-to-eye with Lady  Argentea and Windrunner. She now confidently gathers force energy and  shoots it at the dodging sergeant.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T27:   Arthog pushes past friend and fallen to the chairs by the fireplace and  lances downwards below the man's shield to strike the sergeant in the  upper right thigh for  21  to drop the man, his sword and mirror falling from his grasp as he hits the floor.

 R3T19:  Lady Argentea CDGs the sergeant, which forces Windrunner to stay put.

 R3T18:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Ten-Penny on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram looks around for any other hostiles.   "What was that about? Who is Radosek?"   He says taking a defensive stance.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Total defense.
 
lostsole31
 R3T18:  Moorgram looks around for any other hostiles.   "What was that about? Who is Radosek?"   He says taking a defensive stance.

 R3T17:  Ten-Penny flies over to mid-room and casts a gout of acid on the fallen soldier there ... just in case.

 R3T16:   Darkhelm's concentration ends, and she is now no longer the creepy  black-skinned creature she was before. Now, she is a human woman of  similar height (5' 9"), but dressed as an attractive, straw-haired Ulfen  woman with the same gear she had before. She hustles to the far eastern  side of the room.

 R3T8:    "Radosek is the consort of the local white witch, and reputedly a terrifying magician in his own right,"   says Nadya before hustling to the east.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

  R4T27-19:  Arthog, Lady Argentea (and by extension Windrunner) delay, listening to Nadya.

 R4T18:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Ten-Penny on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...
Ostoril
  "Well that doesn't sound good."   says Moorgram as he moves to follow the others.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Moving to follow the new Darkhelm. 3 squares north, 2 east, 1 north. From there I am uncertain where she moved to so follow her path from there up to my movement? If I must declare before I can see then it looks like 1 more north and then just continue east?
 
lostsole31
Meanwhile, Ten-Penny and Darkhelm make sure the last guard is dead.

 Initiative Ends! 
Ostoril
  "Do you think he is coming here? Or should we rush to meet him?"   Moorgram asks, checking the guards for anything of interest.   "I suppose we should do something about these bodies to not just be labeled murderers."  
lostsole31
Nadya shakes her head.   "The Goltiaevas made this mess when they informed on you - scared and terrified, mind you. Let them see this here and force them to deal with it as a statement to collaborators. I don't know what Radosek will do."  

Lady Argentea says,   "Before we go forward or hunker down, I need to know a resource count from each of you - health, fatigue, magic, ammunition.  It's late at night, and though Moorgram would foolishly brave the harshest north winds because someone stepped on his pet cookie, we will not follow him to blind death. It's late. It's dark. Even with Nadya we're in unfamiliar territory. With her permission we will go back to her home but station watches and then leave mid-morning.

"We took out more than a dozen soldiers tonight, and now the primary antagonistic belligerent has been warned. They won't come for us tonight. They need to figure out exactly what happened, how, and by whom. They may even need to send out soldiers to seek reinforcement from elsewhere on the morrow.  No, I am sure that our job isn't taking the low-hanging fruit they've foolishly offered us, but to pry the mice out of their hole."  

She looks around before receiving reports,   "Anyone have a problem with that? If not, look for anything useful among the fallen - do NOT take things as heavy and belaboring as trophies, just quick, simple things."  
  "As for me, I have everything available I would otherwise have,"   she continues,   "it's just that I know that by the time we get to business, I'd start to feel tired, and that's poor for beginning a fight against an entrenched enemy."  

Arthog notes he is fine.

Eyes look to the "new" member in the room, the former dark-skinned Darkhelm, now visually an Ulfen woman.   "Don't ask. I don't know. I do know it's an illusion, not a polymorph, but not why I did it or why I can do it.  I feel unsettled by some changes I've been experiencing, and could use rest."  

Nadya is fine.

Ten-Penny needs rest to refresh her magic.

All eyes to Moorgram (though Windrunner has a right to respond as well).
Ostoril
Moorgram eyes Lady Argentea with a burning fury at her comments. A tight grip on the haft of his axe and clenched teeth Moorgram speaks,   "Say whatever ill founded thoughts you have of me, but don't ever let me catch you speaking ill of my friend again or I will silence that tongue."   He turns to leave.   "The peace of my home and family was destroyed. Forgive me for not wanting to bring that fate upon the innocent people of this village for my mere presence."   He says as he stalks out the door and makes his way back to Nadya's, letting the cold air cool his anger.
lostsole31
Everyone else returns to Nadya's as well to get what rest they can.

Does Moorgram or Windrunner do anything before bedding down?
Ostoril
Moorgram gets ready for the night, avoiding Lady Argentea as much as he reasonably can in the small home.
Kvard51
Windrunner walks beside his commander as they make their way back to Nadya's,   "Perhaps you should not speak lightly of Moorgram's friend.  While it seems a strange choice to you, he was Moorgram's friend.  Such a thing is not to be scoffed at or joked about, particularly while he is still grieving."  

Once at the house, Windrunner takes his leave and beds down in the stable.
lostsole31
The PCs and Nadya bed down after Nadya gains the old neighbor woman's help to watch her kids for the morrow.

That night, there is a soft dinging above the heads of Darkhelm and Ten-Penny Tacey.

 
  
  Wealday, 30 Erastus 4713 AR 
Weather:  0/ -10 F. Faint snow (1/2"). No wind.    
 
The next morning, is there any change to any type of setup? Do you intend to bring all possessions, or leave some behind?
Ostoril
Moorgram prepares for the day as usual, packing his things for the journey, unsure if he will be returning.
Kvard51
Windrunner, having nothing to prepare, works his way through his newly gained abilities, one at a time, for practice.  Afterward, he waits for the rest of the group until they are all ready to head out.

 
 Spoiler: Preparing Maneuvers 
Stance: Pugilist's Stance
Maneuvers: Weight of Defeat, Hunting Party
 
lostsole31
After prepping everything for today, you find out that Ten-Penny and Arthog have convinced the domovoi (house spirit) Hatch to join the party to assist as he can - not in direct combat, mind you, but in any other sly way that is available to friendly fey (or in the case of the position of the White Witch's forces,  unfriendly  fey).

Nadya and Hatch are ready now - after a hearty breakfast is consumed - to take the party to the Pale Tower.

Any last thing before you are on the road?
Ostoril
Moorgram checks his gear and and prepares to head out then stops, remembering something.   "Those snowshoes you offered us, what exactly do they do?"  
lostsole31
Nadya looks down at her feet, where she had affixed her snowshoes.   "Makes it easier to travel in the snow. Now that I'm coming with you, uhh, I figured I would wear them. My offering them to you was before I realized I would be traveling with you. I still offer them to whomever among your people wants them .... as a parting gift once my time with you is done."  
Ostoril
Moorgram nods.   "That's fine."   He moves to head out.
lostsole31
Nadya will actually have Moorgram seated on her dog team's sled while she mushes them. Lady Argentea and Windrunner ride together. And Darkhelm is allowed to ride on Arthog with Ten-Penny. The domovoi (house spirit) Hatch hides in Nadya's goods on the sled. The group leaves for the Pale Tower.

 
 
 
 

After some time, there is a rather large crow in a tree that caws down to the group as they are passing by.

  "Well, hello there!"   calls a female voice from the crow's mouth.   "You are all very shiny-pretty. What are you doing?"  
Ostoril
Moorgram looks up to the crow.   "Traveling is all a stranger needs to know."   Moorgram says flatly.   "Who wishes to know our business? I will share as much with a stranger as a stranger shares with me."  
lostsole31
  "My name is Lytil,"   says the crow.   "I like shinies. I am a friend to those who give me shinies and preciouses."  
Ostoril
  "Lytil."   Moorgram says the word as though it sounds strange.   "A strange name, for a strange bird, you remind me of a friend."   He fishes out a silver piece and gives it a bit of a rub to shine it up before offering it up to the bird.   "Is this the kind of shiny you like?"  
lostsole31
Lytil starts hopping from one foot to the other in excitement.   "Oooh, yes. Very pretty. But flat edges hard to hold. Do you have pretty rocks?"  
Ostoril
Moorgram shakes his head.   "No, I do not have any shiny rocks right now. I am Moorgram, and you are welcome to this shiny, though I have none easier to carry right now."   He pauses a moment,   "But if you would see us safely up the road, when we are done with our journey for the day, I may be able to give you something better."  
lostsole31
  "Can I sit on your head?"   asks Lytil.   "You have a nest for a head. I could fit if you let me. Then I could go up the road with you."  
Ostoril
Moorgram pauses a moment.   "Yes, but be careful, it belonged to a dear friend."   he says as he places the coin in his cap.
lostsole31
The thing flies down and lands in Moorgram's cap. The talking crow weighs about 30 pounds, so it isn't comfortable, and more than the weight if the bulk .... but Moorgram's neck wasn't designed for this. He can't move and fight, and has to sit pretty still and move around stiltedly while the thing is in the nest-hat.
Ostoril
As Moorgram realizes the weight and magnitude of his new friend, he lifts the nest from his head and sets it down on the sled in front of him. He rubs his neck.   "Apologies, my friend was much smaller than you and others of your kind that I have seen."  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea frowns at the whole magical witchery of it all and says astride Windrunner,   "May we proceed?"  
Ostoril
Moorgram looks up at her, her previous words not forgotten. He nods to her. After a few minutes of continued travel he leans into his new friend and whispers   "I don't think she likes birds."  
lostsole31
Lytil, who hasn't mastered whispering with her harsh, corvid voice says,   "She's not very shiny. She has blingies, but  she  isn't shiny."  

It is a trip of some six miles. Sharp winds whistle across this stark white plain, stinging the eyes along with the near-blinding rays of the reflected sun. A great eruption of frozen ice rises in the distance—an imposing pale tower crowned with icicles spearing into the sky. Seemingly born of the land itself, an unbroken circular wall of ice guards the tower’s base, with no means of entrance visible. High above, a large gash opens in the tower’s bowl-like crown, ringed in icy spikes and split by a massive plane of ice resembling an inverted crescent moon.

The domovoi Hatch claims he can make the task much easier. He knows every nook in the tower, as well as most of its inhabitants. He also knows how to use something he calls the "ice crystal teleporters" to move between floors, and will work for a few minutes to make sure the smart folk in the party know the commands for four of these ice crystal teleporters.
Ostoril
Moorgram listens to Hatch, doing his best to learn the proper words to operate the teleporters. He listens intently and does not interrupt the domovoi, but when the opportunity presents itself he turns to Lytil and asks   "Do you know anything of this tower and what we might find inside?"  
lostsole31
   "Soldiers, magic, and death,"    he says stoically in his quavering, small, old-man-like voice.    "But perhaps we will visit some of that death on them for Thora's sake before we go. Ms. Nadya, I am worried should you proceed, for you have two other children. Might I suggest that we take the first floor as quickly as possible, create a redoubt of sorts, and then Nadya and I will hold while the rest of you more powerful heroes and non-parents explore?"   
Ostoril
Moorgram looks to Nadya,   "I agree. My home was left bereft of one of it's voices. I would not have that further visited upon yours. I will meet out vengeance upon those responsible, for both our homes."   
lostsole31
Nadya nods her head.   "Thank you. I agree to this ... for now. But I will give what I can to help you create that beachhead on the first floor."  
Kvard51
  "Well then, let us beard the witch in her lair and avenge Nadya's child.  This evil conjurer has much to answer for, and by the golden fire of Sarenrae, I will see it done!"   the zealous griffin says, ruffling his powerful wings as if to punctuate his statement.
Ostoril
Moorgramnods and hefts his axe.   "Stay safe friend."   he says to Lytl,   "I will bring you back something shiny."  
lostsole31
Lytl doesn't go anywhere, staying on the dog sled.

Hatch tells you of the castle.

There is one primary entrance. It is protected by a thick ice wall which can be magically suppressed by the castle defenders - soldiers in the battlements.  Behind that is a portcullis of ice, also raised/ lowered by the battlement guards.

Past the gate is the courtyard where the Pale Guard dogs are kenneled, though last Hatch was there, there was a female ice troll that showed that was eating some of the dogs. Once the heroes take the courtyard, Nadya's dog sled and team can be left there with Lytl keeping watch? .... yes, with a nod ... with Lytl keeping watch over them while the main force clears out the first floor to seal the beachhead.

Past the courtyard is the main body of the first floor, which includes barracks for the Pale Guard.

There is only one other main entrance to the tower - the Aerie. But the Aerie's entrances are a series of tiny openings suitable for crows, not for far more massive creatures like griffons.

Ten-Penny offers to begin an assault on the aerie, but only AFTER the assault below at the gate, so as to split forces.

What plan do you offer for the gate?
Ostoril
  "That gate needs to be lowered. I won't be much help against the guards unless I can get inside."   He looks to Lady Argentea with a twitch of his mouth and then to Windrunner,   "If you two could take to the battlement and open the gate, the rest of us can get in."   

He pauses a moment.   "Still, that would seem an awful task alone."   He turns to Nadya,   "I don't suppose there is any chance this white witch or this Radosek could be goaded into letting us in to talk? Are they the kind to simply kill the likes of us, or would they want us prisoner if we stood outside their gate? If we could get them to let down the gates for us, our airborne friends could launch a surprise attack."  
lostsole31
Nadya says,   "It would have to be significant subterfuge. If Radosek or the witch has seen us through mirrors, informants, or crow spies, guile is pointless. Otherwise, either we are insects not worth their time to open, or we are dangerous and they still hold fast in a siege mentality. There are also many Pale Guard on patrol through the countryside as well.  I say we hit that ice barrier - which isn't about being 'lowered' ... it's already down and in place - and destroy it, doing the same to the portcullis."  

Lady Argentea nods.   "In the meantime, Windrunner and I can harry the battlements to keep the ground crew from taking fire.  I would like Darkhelm to go with me, and if I get a chance to let Darkhelm off, she can then be on foot at the battlements while Windrunner and I continue whatever tactic seems best at the time given the physical layout.

"This means Ten-Penny Tacey - very hard to detect, flies up to the aerie and hides to await the sounds of battle.

"I and Windrunner and Darkhelm against the entrance tower guards.

"Moorgram, you are the primary at the gate with axe and brawn ... assisted by Arthog hooves and horns ... and Nadya? I know you just recently discovered whatever it is that you do, but it seems destructive enough that I am sure you couldn't hurt.

"How does everyone like that plan?"  
Ostoril
  "I thought as much."   Moorgram nods in agreement to the plan.
Kvard51
Windrunner takes in the plans, trusting Argentea's tactical acumen and Nadya's familiarity with the foe to give them a working plan.

  "I will do as asked.  It seems to me that a fight on multiple fronts, while dangerous, is necessary in this instance.  May the Light of Sarenrae provide illumination against these servants of darkness we face today!"  
lostsole31
  "Remember,"   offers Nadya,   "they have a 6-mile survey of the surrounding lands. Once we get in a few hundred yards ... we may be dealing with a handful of arrows at extreme range if they are pre-alerted. So, don't think we can roll right up to the gate without any problems. We might, and I nope we do while they ascertain who or what we are, but worst case is that they start shooting a few hundred yards out. If so, their accuracy will be the smells of a midden, but a stray arrow still might land."  
Ostoril
  "Let us hope they don't attack on sight. I'll not brandish my axe until they start shooting, just in case us walking up to knock on the gate is confusing enough to them to hold their fire. Does anyone have anything they need to do before we approach?"   Moorgram says then checks his gear and gazes in the direction of the tower wondering if they are about to make a big mistake.
lostsole31
 Windrunner , do you have anything you need to do?
lostsole31
As luck would have it, the soldiers didn't start shooting at you.  The two mounts (Ten-Penny rides - hidden - on Arthog) and the dogsled pull up a little bit back from the gate so as to see the guards and they see them.  A Pale Tower guard calls down,   "Who are you? What is your business with the Pale Tower?"  
Ostoril
Moorgram looks up to the guard.   "I am known as Moorgram. I have important matters to discuss with the master of the Pale Tower concerning recent and coming events. And I assure you, your master would be quite displeased if they were to learn you simply turned me away. Inform your master and grant us entry."  
Kvard51
Windrunner adjusts his footing, anticipating violence from the tower guards.

 
 Spoiler: Actions:  
Enter Pugilist's Stance while watching the guards
 
lostsole31
  "Piss off, you weird-hatted hobo!"   comes a reply from above.
Ostoril
  "You were warned."   Moorgram says as he hefts his axe and makes for the gate with a roar.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Engage Risky Strike
Draw Axe
(If I can charge, charge otherwise move and attack if I have the actions)
Charge Gate:  (1d20+6)[ 16 ]  for  (1d12+9)[ 10 ]  damage. Charge bonuses not added. Does Axe to Grind trait apply to objects?
 
lostsole31
 Pre-Combat...

   "You were warned,"    Moorgram says as he hefts his axe and makes for the gate with a roar.  He puts full power into it, but it bites with the beard of the axe -  going deep and cutting a gouge, but not so much as he'd hoped ( 10 ).

 Begin Round One ...

R1T20:  Ten-Penny says,   "Good luck!"   and she flies off, about 20' high now and mostly around the curve of the tower walls.

 R1T19:  Darkhelm takes out her longbow and shoots, the arrow plinking off of the icy wall of the gatehouse.

 R1T18:  Lytil tears off and looks like she is going to pass Ten-Penny on the way to their target.

 R1T16:  A guard shoots Moorgram in the chest for  8  with a light crossbow bolt.

 R1T13:   Arthog takes a page out of Moorgram's book and charges the ice wall ...  the remainder of which explodes into chunks all over the place. A wave  of cold thrums out from the newly opened breach and washes over the  unicorn and the woodsman for   2 mod cold   to Arthog, and   13 mod cold   to Moogram. "Thanks for softening it up for me, pal! The breach is open!"

But now, just past that first ice wall, is a portcullis made of inverted icicles.

 R1T12:  Another bolt clips Moorgram in the belly for  3 .

 R1T11:  Lady Argentea rides Windrunner a distance of 30' away from the wall (only 10' lateral movement) and 25' high ...

 R1T10:  Another guard shoots Moorgram in the gut for  6 .

 R1T9:   Nadya moves up behind Moorgram, getting a little more confident every  time she tries this strange power she discovered, and lets loose a blast  which splinters and destroys the ice portcullis.

 R1T8:   Moogram , you recover from your charge. What do you do?

Ten-Penny on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram moves into the courtyard hunkering down and preparing for more attacks as he observes the surroundings.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move 4 squares "West"
Total Defense
Observe the surroundings.
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Moorgram moves into the courtyard - but not before the cold emanating from the breach does another   13 mod   cold to him - hunkering down and preparing for more attacks as he observes the surroundings.

A  massive ice sculpture of a dragon dominates this open courtyard,  standing with raised wings upon a dais of solid ice. Seven squat shacks  sit along the inner wall, with several dogsleds stored outside. Between  them, four ice chutes descend from the battlements of the outer wall. To  the west, large double doors studded with icicles lead inside the Pale  Tower itself, just beneath an overhang of sharp icicles dangling from  above.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T20/18 ...

  R2T19:   Darkhelm moves closer and and takes a defensive shot up at one of the  guards. It strikes Blue in the neck in a nerve cluster for  6 + stunned  and he drops his crossbow off the gate to shatter below!

 R2T16:   Red reloads and shoots at Moorgram, striking him in the lower back for  6  despite the latter's focus on defense.

 R2T13:  Arthog moves in - taking no damage from the cold breach - and tries to screen Moorgram. He touches his horn to Moorgram for   16 healing  .

 R2T11:    Lady Argentea (w/ Windrunner) wheels around and closes a little, now at  the desired height advantage and angle. Windrunner can tell from her  knee positioning that she is prepared with her shield in her fighting  stance.

 Windrunner , you have only SWA/FA available. Do you do anything?

Green Guard on deck, Nadya in the hole ...
Kvard51
Waiting for his rider to act, Windrunner looks over the battlefield in an effort to spot anything unusual happening.

 
 Spoiler: Action 
Attempting free assessment to spot any “surprises”
 
lostsole31
 R2T10:  "Green" adjust his position to attack those already in the courtyard. He shoots, misses Arthog, and reloads.

 R2T9:  Nadya throws another force-ball at the stunned soldier, but the armor protects him.

 R2T8:  Moorgram, you were using total defense. What do you do now?

Darkhelm in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram continues to try and shield himself as he gets a better handle on his surroundings.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Standard Action: total defense
Move Action: assess surroundings.
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:  Moogram doesn't notice anything more about anything that he's already seen, at least nothing of note. He maintains his defense.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T20/18:  ...

 R3T19:   Darkhelm looks like she suffers from a massive headache and holds up  her bow to wave around defensively as she is face down, holding her  head. During that time, Blue seems to recover from having been stunned.

 R3T16:   Red shoots at the seemingly debilitated Ulfen woman (Darkhelm), but  Darkhelm is able to luckily smack the bolt away with her bow as Red  reloads.

 R3T13:  Arthog touches his horn to Moorgram for   8 healing  .

 R3T12:  Blue hunkers down now that he is without his crossbow.

 R3T11:   Windrunner ,  Lady Argentea is looking to do a charge of the guard that is by itself  on the south side of the gate. Make attack rolls for a charge (also if you set up with a stance beforehand)!

Green on deck, Nadya in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R3T11:  Lady Argenta spurs the charge, and Windrunner  prepares an offensive stance as she does so. Once they close on their  charge, Lady Argentea's spear pierces Green's lower arm for  13  while Windrunner's bite pierces the man's shoulder for  17 . Windrunner worries the guard and tosses his corpse from the battlement with a dying scream.

 R3T9:  Nadya manages to hit Red for a light crit of  17 !

 R3T8:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Red on deck ...
Ostoril
  "Thanks."   Moorgram says to Arthog as he sets down his axe and grabs his sling, and loads it with a stone.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Free - Sets down Axe (drop axe?)
Move - draw sling
Move (standard downgrade) - Load Sling
 
lostsole31
 R3T8:    "Thanks,"   Moorgram says to Arthog as he sets down his axe and grabs his sling, and loads it with a stone.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ....

  R4T19:  Darkhelm recovers from whatever she temporarily suffered. She shoots upwards to strike Red in the shoulder for  3 ,  and he falls from the tower to his death below, waves of cold  constantly battering him and turning him to a block of ice. She then  bolts into the courtyard as quickly as she can to minimize damage but  still takes   8 mod cold  .

 R4T13:  Arthog says,   "I don't have hands, so somebody needs to start kickin' in doors."  
 R4T12:  Blue pops up from where he was hiding to shoot at the woman on the griffon, missing.

 R4T11:   Recovering from the charge, Lady Argentea directs Windrunner to the  last guard. Her spear is deflected by the man's shield, but Windrunner  tears into him, and in so doing, Lady Argentea gets another spear strike  to skewer the man, who drops where he is on the battlement.

 R4T9:    "Can I get an airlift?"   Nadya calls up to the aerialists.   "There is a powerful cold field that attacks all who pass the barrier."  
 R4T8:   Moorgram , it seems the tower guards are put down. Your axe is on the ground and a loaded sling in hand. What do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Arthog in the hole ...
Ostoril
  "Just a moment, friend."   Says Moorgram as he picks up his axe in one hand and begins to walk around the statue to get a clear view of the door.   "I'd hate for those Icicles to fall on any of our heads."
  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Standard Pick up Axe in 1 hand.
Move N, W, NW , NW, W
 
lostsole31
 R4T8:    "Just a moment, friend."   Says Moorgram as he picks up his axe in one hand and begins to walk around the statue to get a clear view of the door.   "I'd hate for those Icicles to fall on any of our heads."  
 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T19:   A kennel door right in front of Moorgram opens up, bringing with it a  pungent reek. A creature squeezes out of the door to stand before the  woodsman. Standing a whopping 10' tall, this creature has light blue  skin and cold, piercing eyes. Dressed in rough furs, her tusked jaw ends  in a long underbite. She carries a battleaxe in her hand and then  strikes Moorgram in the belly with it for  17 .

 R5T16:   Darkhelm moves to the far side of the courtyard while drawing her short sword, right near those very threatening ice spears.   "Contact!"   she yells for those to the east at the gate.   "Ice troll. Use fire if you have it."  
 R5T13:  Arthog moves quickly up behind Moorgram and touches him with his horn for   12 healing  .

 R5T11-9:   Lady Argentea guides Wind runner down to Nadya, but has to do so in a  wide arc, and lands. Nadya gets onto the griffon and holds on for dear  life.

 R5T8:   Moorgram , you have your axe in one hand, and a loaded sling in the other. What do you do?

Ice troll on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...
Ostoril
  "Curse you. Lie down and do not trouble us."   Moorgram snarls glaring at the beast and willing it to sleep.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Slumber hex.
 
lostsole31
 R5T8:    "Curse you. Lie down and do not trouble us."   Moorgram snarls glaring at the beast and willing it to sleep.

The troll drops her axe and drops to the ground, snoring.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T19:  Troll snoozing.....

 R6T16:  Darkhelm steps up to the troll, taking out her shortsword.

 R6T13:  Arthog delays ...

 R6T11-9:  Lady Argentea flies east to get some altitude, Nadya holding tightly behind her.

 R6T8:   Moorgram ,  you still have your axe in one hand, loaded sling in the other. You are  suddenly and inexplicably wracked with pain all over your body. What do  you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Arthog in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram grits his teeth as the pain tears through him. He drops his sling and readies his axe as he looks around for what might be causing the pain.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Free drop sling
Move "draw" greataxe
Standard Perception check to identify source of pain?
 
lostsole31
 R6T8:  Moorgram grits his teeth as the pain tears  through him. He drops his  sling and readies his axe as he looks around for what might be causing  the pain. He can't sense an external source, but while still malleable,  his skin seems to have taken on a certain amount of rigidity, and that  process causes him intense pain. Likewise, he is feeling extreme pain  now in his mouth.

  End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ... 

In the distance somewhere is heard an unholy ruckus of crows.

 R7T16-13:  Darkhelm and Arthog delay, looking curiously at Moorgram.

 R7T11-9:  Lady Argentea, Nadya, and Winter fly in from over the gatehouse, not yet landing in the courtyard at a height of about 30'

 R7T8:   Moorgram ,  the bodily pain is there, but slowly subsiding, but you still have a  headache and severe pain ... but in your mouth. Deep bone-type pain,  rather than a sharp one.  The troll is still sleeping there. What do you  do?
Ostoril
As the pain wells up inside him from an unknown source so does his anger. Moorgram hefts his axe and with a roar of pain and anger brings it down on the troll below him.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Free Action: Rage (If I am able to use these powers I see on my sheet?)
Full Round Action: Coup De Grace
 
lostsole31
 R7T8:  As the pain wells up inside him from an unknown source so does his  anger. Moorgram hefts his axe and with a roar of pain and anger brings  it down on the troll below him, sinking his axe deep into her brow.

 Combat Ends! 
Ostoril
Moorgram clutches his head as he takes several deep breaths, trying to will the pain away.   "Poison?"   he says through gritted teeth as he looks to the wound on his stomach.
lostsole31
Moorgram's body flushes with sweat and he is fatigued just from that simple final burst of anger. The brief but intense pain he felt all over subsides as now mainly it is the pain of his stomach.

Arthog touches his wound with his horn, giving him  16 healing .   "That is becoming harder and harder to do. I don't know how much more of that I can do."  
Ostoril
  "Oh? I'm sorry. I'll ask them to stop attacking me, I'm sure they will listen."   Barks Moorgram. With another deep breath, he looks at Arthog.   "Sorry, the pain makes my blood boil. I appreciate the healing. Now let's see about getting those doors open. But first,"   He reaches down to pick up his sling and axe again,   "lets see about those icicles, I am sure their placement there is more than simple decoration."  

Making sure no one is directly under the icicles above the door, he lets loose a sling stone at them.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Sling Attack  (1d20+5)[ 7 ]  for  (1d4+4)[ 8 ]  ranged bludgeoning damage.
 
lostsole31
These aren't tiny icicles, but big ones. Mind you, they are still made of ice, not some specially hardened material. The sling bullet strikes one of the big icicles with a lot of force and does damage, but doesn't bring it down.

Meanwhile, in the distance high above the shrieking and cawing of crows continues.
Ostoril
Moorgram shrugs,   "At least they seem sturdy..."   He puts his sling away and makes to open the door, keeping an eye on the icicles.   "Ready?"   he asks before trying to open the door.
lostsole31
Moorgram opens the door, which includes a 10' x 10' hallway to a much wider space beyond ...
Ostoril
Moorgram readies his axe and cautiously steps just into the room to get a look as to what awaits them inside.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move 2 squares west
 
lostsole31
Still not fully out of this funneling section into the next chamber.....
Ostoril
With no immediate greeting of a wave of cold or hail of bolts, Moorgram strides more confidently into the chamber.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move 2 more squares west
 
lostsole31
Steamy air fills this inner gallery, emanating in lazy wisps from a bubbling pool recessed into the floor of a raised dais surrounded by six pillars of ice. Four foggy mirrors hang from the walls near ice sculptures of helmeted pike-wielding warriors.
Ostoril
Moorgramtakes a moment to take in the new surroundings, looking to see if the statues bear any semblance to anyone of note. As ponders the statues, he whips away some of the fog on the mirror next to him and examines it.   "An odd room to have as a main chamber in an ice tower. You'd think it would melt over time, and these mirrors are not much good fogging up like this."  
lostsole31
Moorgram doesn't recognize the statues ... at least from where he is, there is enough steam in the room to make it hard to see detail from more than several feet away.
Ostoril
Moorgram makes his way around the bubbling pool and pillars of ice to examine the statues closer.
lostsole31
He doesn't recognize any of the figures depicted on the statues.
Ostoril
Satisfied with no immediate danger in the room, Moorgram begins to search for a way up to assist his allies. He moves to the nearest door, looking to his allies for any sign they have noticed anything he may have missed and readies himself to open the door once his allies are ready.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I think the closest door to him by the time he has gotten close enough to all the statues to see them would be the bottom one on the left side? Unless there is something I cant see currently on the map in that shadow
 
lostsole31
As Ostoril heads towards the doors, Hatch will squeak out that the two blue strips on each end - north and south - are teleporter strips.
Ostoril
  "Where do they go?"   Moorgram asks the group pointing to the one towards the south.
lostsole31
Hatch begins to describe the area and what lays beyond.
  
"First, don't mess with the pool. Don't touch the water. There's a water elemental there that keeps the plumbing running smoothly.

"Those two doors to the north and south on the east, closest to the mirrors (Blue) ... they lead to stairs going upstairs.

"The two doors north and south that are sort of against the far walls (Brown) ... those are privvies.

"Of the two doors that are relatively close to the west? The one just north (Green) goes to the north barracks, and the one just south (Yellow) goes to the south barracks.

"Finally, both ice crystal teleporters take you up to the next level to the dining hall. The passphrase is, 'A gathering within the hall, take one, take us all.'"  
Ostoril
  "Our allies fight a battle up above, but those barracks could call enemies to our heels."   Moorgram says as he eyes the statues to see if they might make for a speedy but effective barricade.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Examine statues/doors to see if they look like a few axe swings and a quick push might block the doorways? or if the doors even open into the chamber and are barricadeable?
 
lostsole31
The ice statues appear to be ice-fused to the ground, and if there are any soldiers in the barracks they would surely hear the noise of trying to hack the statues off their bases.
Ostoril
  "If no one else has any big ideas, lets hurry and clear this level."   Moorgram says as he moves towards the North Barracks.
lostsole31
Moorgram lines up at the door with Nadya for support, while Darkhelm is at the other door with Lady Argentea. It is a little congested in here for the bigguns to bother, so they hold back.
Ostoril
Moorgram opens the door and readies his axe for a fight.
lostsole31
Moorgram and Darkhelm both open the doors they are currently at.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T30:  Arthog tenses, but delays ...

 R1T21:   Moorgram ,  what do you do? Nine double bunks, little more than straw mattresses  and heavy blankets on raised blocks of ice, occupy most of the space in  this partitioned chamber. A single wooden chest and a weapons locker  furnish the rest of the room. An unarmored soldier lays in his bunk not too far from Moorgram.
Ostoril
Moorgram moves to the soldier's bedside, quickly looking for other threats. He readies his axe to make short work of the man.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move 3 squares West (or up 1 west, NW, W if that thing is blocking those squares.)
Ready action to attack the man if he tries to get up. (Looking to coup de grace next round if the man is asleep and no other threats in room)
 
lostsole31
 R1T21:  Moorgram moves to the soldier's bedside, quickly  looking for other threats. He readies his axe to make short work of the  man, who is awake and looking up in terror, and not asleep. He is not  in armor, nor does he have his weapons nearby.

Nine double bunks,  little more than straw mattresses and heavy blankets on raised blocks  of ice, occupy most of the space in this partitioned chamber. A single  wooden chest and a weapons locker furnish the rest of the room.

 R1T20-19:  A soldier on the other side who is ready for war steps into the doorway nicks Darkhelm in her left hand for  2 . He starts calling out an alarm. Red-4 (to the north) gets up and moves blearily to the east.

 R1T18:  Darkhelm withdraws from her position at the doorway.

 R1T17:  Windrunner moves up to Darkhelm, and puts a talon gingerly on the woman's shoulder for   6 healing  .

 R1T15:   Lady Argentea gets into a fighting style and begins calling out  inspiring commands. She steps up to the doorway and begins her fight  with the guard.

 R1T13-9:  A fully armored and  ready soldier steps up to Windrunner from the south. To the north of  Moorgram, a fatigued soldier gets on his feet. Just north of Moorgram in  this partition, Red-2 manages to scramble out of bed under Moorgram's  attack and darts to the north.

 R1T8:  Nadya gets behind a column and lets loose a telekinetic blast.

 R1T7-1:  Final soldier to north is on the move. An officer appears from the south, engages Windrunner, and nicks the griffin for  3 ; she is followed by another soldier who soft-crits Windrunner for  9 .  Red-1, the fatigued, unarmed, unarmored soldier under Moorgram, doesn't try to get up with Moorgram threatening him.    "No ... no, p-please no."   
 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T30:  Arthog continues to delay and keep his head on a swivel.

 R2T21:   Moorgram , the man cowered under you, begging, but wasn't stupid enough to try to get up. What do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram snarls in disgust,   "I'll not kill a man begging for his life."   He turns towards the other guards.   "Beg if you want to live, or fight if you want to die!"   he roars as he steps towards them.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

move NE 1 square to be next to 2.
Ready action to attack 2 if he doesn't surrender.
 
lostsole31
 R2T21:  Moorgram snarls in disgust,   "I'll not kill a man begging for his life."   He turns towards the other guards.   "Beg if you want to live, or fight if you want to die!"   he roars as he steps towards them.

 R2T20-19:  Blue-4 crosses weapons with Lady Argentea. Red-4 opens the door on the north end of the northern barracks.

 R2T18:  Darkhelm puts away her shortbow away, and then moves north to block the northern barracks door while drawing her shortsword.

 R2T17:    "Yield, officer!"   caws Windrunner, intimidating the leader.

 R2T15:   Blue-1 attacks Windrunner.

 R2T14:  Lady Argentea continues with her inspiring commands, continuing to cross weapons with her foe.

 R2T13-9:   Blue-3 steps out and puts shield away. Blue-2 steps up to attack  Windrunner. Red-3 and Red-2 cower, not wanting to be torn asunder.

 R2T8:   Protected by an interposing column, Nadya moves away from the guard  threatening her to a point north of the fountain. She shoots a  telekinetic blast into the man's chest for  14 .

 R2T7:  Red-5 does nothing offensive.

 R2T6:  Though shaken, the officer attacks Windrunner.

 R2T3:  There is a loud sloshing and splashing sound out in the main hallway, and Wind runner cries out in pain.

 R2T2:  High speed hooves heard.

 R2T1:  Red-1 gets off the bed and runs out the nearest door.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T21:  Moorgram, your readied attack didn't go off as it seems Red-2 surrendered.

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Ostoril
  "Flee this place before I lose my patience."   He says glaring at them.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Ready another action to attack if they try to attack.
 
lostsole31
 R3T21:    "Flee this place before I lose my patience,"   Moorgram says, glaring at them. (Using off-turn words and gestures) It seems that the soldiers are suitably cowed.

Darkhelm shouts,   "Come on out!"   and does body language to show she is an "ally" to the unarmed soldiers for purposes of moving through her square.

 R3T20-19:  A guard soft-crits Windrunner for  9 .  Red-4 leaves out Darkhelm's door out of Moorgram's sight.

 R3T18:  Darkhelm leaves sight of the doorway and then flanks the water serpent with Arthog, stabbing it for  6 .

 R3T17:    "I am badly wounded, if anyone has healing!"   cries Windrunner, who now goes on the defensive.   "Before I go, officer of evil, I swear to smite your body upon this icy floor!"  

Windrunner bites the sergeant in her leg for  21 , claws her in the groin for  20 , dropping her, and then finishing off with his last claw, ending his short-lived smite.

 R3T15:  Lady Argentea is struck by a soldier for  4 .

 R3T14:  Lady Argentea maintains her inspiring commands and spears her foe in the knee for  12 , then steps away.

 R3T13-9:  A soldier strikes Windrunner for  5 .  Two soldiers near Moorgram scramble out the door.

 R3T8:   Nadya steps down the stairs, waving one of the unarmed soldiers past  her as she shoots a bolt of force at the water-serpent, striking it for  12 .

 R3T7:  The last soldier in the northern barracks leaves out the north.

 R3T3:  The water serpent slams Windrunner for  9 .

 R3T2:  Arthog touches Windrunner with his horn for   11 healing  .

 R3T1:  The last unarmored soldier moves north out of the way, past Nadya.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T21:   Moorgram , the northern barracks is clear. What do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Ostoril
Hearing the commotion, Moorgram heads back into the main chamber.   "Sleep."   he says as glares at the largest foe in sight.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move South 2 squares and 2 squares East through the doorway.
Cast Slumber hex on the biggest foe I can see.
 
lostsole31
 R4T21:  Hearing the commotion, Moorgram heads back into the main chamber.   "Sleep,"    he says as he glares at the largest foe in sight - which appears to be  an 8'-long serpent made entirely of water. The water-creature does not  sleep.

 R4T20-19:  A soldier at the doorway to the southern barracks attacks Moorgram as he comes out, nicking his lower abdomen for  2 .

 R4T18:  Darkhelm stabs the water serpent for  9 .

 R4T17:  Windrunner puts a talon on his chest for   5 healing  .  He then continues a more defensive combat approach, but the soldier  that is his target brilliant sword presses Windrunner's own forepaw into  his beak so that Windrunner bites himself for  10 . In retaliation Windrunner slashes that man's arm for  8  as the other scrapes off of his armor.

 R4T15:   The soldier now provides his own drive, striking Windrunner in the  forearm but Windrunner does some special maneuver to ignore it.

 R4T14:  Lady Argentea continues her commands of offense and defense and steps down to engage. She stabs Blue-2 in the forearm for  13 , dropping him.

 R4T13-9:  A soldier strikes Windrunner for  5 . A couple voices muttering something to the north.

 R4T8:  Nadya's power bolt splashes into the water-serpent without apparently hurting it.

 R4T7-3:  The water-serpent hits Windrunner with what seems like just slamming against the griffin forcefully for  6  ... enough for the griffin to fall.

 R4T2:  A tired Arthog touches his horn to Windrunner for   14 healing  , reviving Windrunner.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

  R5T21:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Ostoril
  "I have no time for you!"   Moorgram roars as he turns on the guard in the doorway, swinging his axe with all his might and anger.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Rage
Engage Risky Strike
Greataxe attack on blue 4  (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  (+2 from rage) for  (1d12+9)[ 21 ]  slashing damage (+2 from rage and +1 from Axe to Grind)
 
lostsole31
 R5T21:    "I have no time for you!"    Moorgram roars as he turns on the guard in the doorway, swinging his  axe with all his might and anger, with his axe cleaving the man's shin  and landing in his left foot while shredding an artery for  25  as the man drops.

 R5T18:  Darkhelm continues to attack the water serpent, striking again with her short sword for  10 .

 R5T17:  Windrunner continues to maintain a more defensive approach. He snaps at Blue-3's knee for  14 ; slashes him in the upper right arm for  13 , dropping him; and fails to strike Blue-1 with a claw. Placing a talon on his chest, Windrunner gains   1 healing  .

 R5T15:  Blue-1 is unable to successfully counterattack.

 R5T14:   Lady Argentea continues her inspiring commands while climbing over  bodies to get to the last active soldier. She spears Blue-1 in the groin  with an enraging strike for  19 , dropping him. She gives defensive advice to those around her.

 R5T8:  Nadya throws out another blast of force that fails to harm the water serpent.

 R5T3:  The water serpent now instead moves a little bit north and clips Darkhelm in the upper arm for  5 .

 R5T2:  Now with a fountain in his way, Arthog touches horn to Windrunner for   10 healing  . Wearily, Arthog says,   "I feel that I have no more of that energy to spend."  
 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T21:  Raging  Moorgram , what do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Windrunner in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram continues fuming and makes his way around the pool towards the watery serpent, swinging his axe into the creature.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move N then 2 squares East.
Engage Risky Strike
Greataxe attack serpent  (1d20+6)[ 14 ] (+2 from rage) for  (1d12+9)[ 16 ]  slashing damage (+2 from rage)
 
lostsole31
 R6T21:  Moorgram continues fuming and makes his way  around the pool towards the watery serpent, swinging his axe into the  creature, but his axe is simply buffeted away by the watery surface.

 R6T18:   With Moorgram coming on scene, Darkhelm counters to flank, only to find  out that this eyeless being of all water isn't to be "flanked." She  still slips her short sword into it for  6 .

 R6T17:  Windrunner delays ...

 R6T14:   Lady Argentea continues her inspiring commands and gives a mighty  warcry that only adds to the ferocity she instills in everyone!

 R6T8:  Nadya strikes the water serpent with a blast of force that has it discorporating and splashing water everywhere.

 R6T2:    "Steady the fallen,"   says Lady Argentea even as Arthog stands guard.   "We're not murderers."  
 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T21:   Moorgram , do you stop raging? What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram lowers his axe with a huff and takes a deep calming breath. He looks around for the signs of life in any of the wounded soldiers.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

End rage
Look for soldiers in need of stabilization.
 
lostsole31
 R7T21:  Moorgram lowers his axe with a huff and takes a deep calming breath. He  looks around for the signs of life in any of the wounded soldiers. He moves to Blue-4, and notes that Blue-4 died.

 R7T18:  Darkhelm puts her sword away and moves over to Blue-2.

 R7T14:   Lady Argentea stops her commands, comes out of stance, steps away, and  puts up her shield. She looks at Blue-3, but admits she doesn't know.

 R7T13:   Windrunner moves north to get out of the way.

 R7T8:  Nadya moves to Blue-1 and stabilizes him.

 R7T2:  Arthog gets out of the way.

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T21:  Moorgram moves to Blue-2 and determines that he died of his wounds.

 R8T18:  Recognizing Nadya as a better healer, Darkhelm moves over to aid Nadya on the last.

 R8T13:  Blue-3 dies of his wounds, a second before Nadya was able to have helped him.

 Initiative Ends!

 Lady Argentea orders that the one stable person be removed to a bed for now, and she will help.
Ostoril
Moorgram moves to help move the stabilized soldier.   "Up the stairs, or to the dining hall next?"   Moorgram asks, half to himself and half to anyone listening. Setting the body down he rubs his eyes with the palms of his hands and thinks aloud   "There may be more in the dining hall, but we have already wasted time and injury on this fight. Is it safe to leave it be?"  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea shakes her head.   "We aren't giving chase. We are creating a redoubt as we knew we would. Alright, everyone, I want a deep search of this central atrium before focusing on the barracks, lower stairwell, and privvies. Open no doors until everything has been safety-checked."  
 Moorgram , do you follow this plan, or go your own way to something else?
Ostoril
Moorgram nods and begins to search.   "If you think our companions upstairs will be fine without our aid."  
lostsole31
  "We can only hope for their success,"   says Lady Argentea.   "But otherwise they are on their own. The aerie they went for is too high above and we've spent too many resources just to get this point. We trust in them; but we also understand that they might not succeed. Holding this point here and resting is our group objective."  
Ostoril
Moorgram simply returns to sweeping the floor for hazards and foes.
lostsole31
It takes just a hair over two hours to make a really solid search of all of area Q3 and both side sections of Q5.

 Each  of the pale tower guards had the following:  potion of endure elements ; chain shirt; light steel shield; cold iron longsword; dagger; light crossbow w/ (10) bolts; soldier's outfit; 15 gp.

Only the gold and the potions from the four soldiers is collected as everything else is bulky.

The female sergeant had the following: (2)  potions of cure light wounds ;  potion of endure elements ;  potion of interrogation  (4th CL); (2)  screaming bolts ; chain shirt; spiked light steel shield; dagger; masterwork cold iron longsword; masterwork light crossbow w/ (10) bolts; a magical mirror (see below); cold weather outfit; 24 gp.

Both healing potions are immediately administered to Windrunner for   7 healing   total and the other potions and gold are put in party treasure.

 Moorgram , is there anything there that you would like? Not for sale purpose later (that would go to party treasure for all to share), but for use now?
lostsole31
The qualities of the magic mirror can be guessed at, but are not known at this time.
Ostoril
Moorgram looks over the loot.   "Does this mirror remind you of the one that officer used to talk to Radosek?"   he asks to no one in particular before a brief pause and i tightening of his grip.   "It might prove useful."   he continues and tucks it away.

Pointing to the masterwork cold iron longsword,   "One of you might make better use of that than I, if not I will take it along with the shield."   he then points to the spiked shield.

Next he picks up one of the chain shirts and considers it a moment.   "A little heavy, but better than nothing right now. I'll leave my other gear as we clear the tower."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Take the mirror.
Take the masterwork cold iron longsword and the spiked light steel shield if no one wants the longsword.
Take a chain shirt and put it on.
Set my backpack down with remaining loot pile to fetch later when were done clearing the tower.
 
lostsole31
Lady Argentea asks for the sword, and Moorgram is fine with that.

Now possessing a weapon of quality, she pours a bit of her essence into the weapon, metaphysically powering it. She does stow her spear in her javelin quiver, though, as she does have use for that. She then shucks the leather armor of a dead bandit, and now dons the chain shirt of a dead soldier. She then drops the wooden shield in favor of a similarly-sized steel one.

Though she has a shortbow, Darkhelm will also take the fine crossbow and several cases of bolts.

Thus outfitted, the privvies are checked clear ( Q4 ) ... then the stairwells.

Next, comes a deep search of the southern barracks ( Q7 ). Eight bunk beds fill this narrow room, separated by a small partition between the tower’s icy walls. Several wooden chests and a weapons locker furnish the rest of the chamber. There is an icy key at the bunk that surely belonged to the sergeant. Hatch tells Moorgram that the key automatically activates the teleporter without the need for a command phrase when anyone bearing the key steps onto the ice crystals.
Ostoril
  "This could be useful."   Moorgram says turning to Lady Argentea.   "It looks like we have cleared the rooms. Any suggestions on how best to proceed?"  
lostsole31
  "Yes,"   says Lady Argentea,   "as already discussed. We take a breather here, holding our position overnight to rest and recover healing magic and to be here for Ten-Penny, if she was successful. If that is not acceptable, you are free to go tearing off alone to prove your mettle, but the rest of us have nothing to prove."  
Ostoril
  "Let us rest then."   Moorgram says, shrugging uncomfortably in his chain shirt.
lostsole31
A watch rotation is set, and people get rest under tons of blankets and/or with the body heat of the unicorn and the giffin.

That evening while Darkhelm sleeps, there is a faint dinging sound above her head.

 
   
 Oathday, 31 Erastus 4713 AR 
Weather: 0/ -10 F. Snow flurries (&lt; 1/2").   

The next morning, Hatch and Nadya prepare to hold the lower level while Lady Argentea, Moorgram, Darkhelm, Arthog, and Windrunner pierce the upper levels.  There is some sadness as Ten-Penny Tacey (and Lytil, for that matter) never returned.

Does Moorgram do anything different for the morning? Is he going to leave anything downstairs to reduce bulk/weight for Nadya and Hatch to guard?
Ostoril
Moorgram leaves behind most of his adventuring gear as most of it is unlikely to be needed. He grabs one of his water skins and some rations for the day along with his combat gear and the mirror.   "Let us avenge our comrades."   he says as he makes ready.
lostsole31
  "Hatch gave us the verbal key for the teleporters.  So we don't get gunked up in case of problems, I recommend we split.  I and Windrunner will be on the south teleporter. Moorgram, Darkhelm, and Arthog to the north.  Any questions?"   asks Lady Argentea.
Ostoril
Moorgram nods in agreement with the plan.
lostsole31
As soon as Moorgram steps onto the southern teleportation pad, he doesn't even need to say anything. There is a faint vibrating from the key that he carries from the fallen sergeant, and just like that he finds himself on a much smaller teleportation pad. A crescent-shaped dining table occupies this Y-shaped chamber, while two large mirrors on the north and south walls create the illusion of an even larger space. Twenty feet overhead, an immense chandelier of ice crystals hangs from the ceiling. To the east, rounded steps access a short hallway, flanked by twin ice sculptures of dryads holding ice-carved tree limbs, creating an elaborate archway. Translucent, glass-like double doors are set in the hall’s north and south walls. To the west, two alcoves stand between three windows providing an amazing view of the wintry landscape outside the tower.

The unarmored guards from yesterday are here - looking fatigued and haggard, and yet with the remains of a warm meal that has yet to be bussed in front of them. They look in shock at you and towards the other alcove (but you don't see there) and put up hands as to not to fight.
Ostoril
  "Stay in your seats and give me no reason to fight."   He says as he raises a hand in peace. He says as he makes his way off the pad and towards the southern door, great axe at the ready and waiting for his companions to join him.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Make room for Darkhelm and Arthog before exploring.
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round ... 

Moorgram raises his hands to evoke peace and says,   "Stay in your ..."    and that is where he is interrupted by a fey that stabbed him in his  chain shirt (that didn't puncture) that is standing at his feet.

Another one at his feet is likewise hapless in getting its little rapier through Moorgram's chain shirt.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T25:  Blue stabs him in the knee this time for  1 NL .

 R1T20:  A crossbow bolt whizzes by his head, shot by someone/something on the stairs of the dais.

 R1T19:   Moorgram , your previously posted bit interrupted, what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram swings his axe at the creature who stabbed him in the knee.   "Begone unless you want to die!"   he shouts as he tries to move into the room.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Engage Risky Strike
Risky Strike Great Axe attack on blue  (1d20+4)[ 23 ]  for  (1d12+9)[ 14 ]  slashing damage (+1 from axe to grind?).
If able to 5ft shift with creatures in my square, 5ft shift to the east.
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Moorgram swings his axe at the creature who stabbed him in the knee by striking Blue in the upper leg for  13 mod .   "Begone unless you want to die!"   he shouts as he tries to move into the room.

 R1T16:   Red steps under a chair for cover and concentrates. Moorgram's axe  thrums in his hand and by force of will he ends whatever was happening.

 R1T8:  Darkhelm now appears on the pad, though she has little time to do anything else.

 R1T9:    "Mierul Ardelain!"   calls out Lady Argentea.   "When  Nadya's camp was our host, we in turn with her was yours. Give up your  allegiance to your liege, and lay down your arms that no harm may come  to you, else I will lay you low."  

She has to work  her way around the difficult terrain of table and chairs, but comes up  to the stairs out of reach of the fey there. The fey on the stairs is  the same one that wintered with you on the night you first arrived, a  guest of Nadya's and a fey who had many questions but divulged little.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T25:  Blue concentrates carefully this time, and again Moorgram's axe thrums briefly but for his will.

 R2T20:  "It  is you who should despair of this foolish quest. I didn't realize it  before, but you are the Black Rider's heir that we have been hunting,"   Mierul says as she falls back to the east to a set of double doors, drops her crossbow and then forms a scimitar made of flame.

 R2T19:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Red fey on deck (under a chair), Darkhelm in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram continues around the table and advances onto the stairs.   "Listen to the Lady and lay down, or be cast down."   He intones as he stares at Mierul.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move E, N, NE.
Cast Sleep Hex on Mierul.
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  Moorgram continues around the table and advances onto the stairs.   "Listen to the Lady and lay down, or be cast down,"   he intones as he stares at Mierul, who in turn falls to the ground softly, her  flame blade  winking out of existence.

 R2T16:  ..... ?

 R2T8:  Darkhelm takes out her short sword and with a power stroke drops Blue.   "The other fey turned invisible."  
 R2T9:  Lady Argentea stands over the sleeping Mierul and readies a sword stroke.   "Moorgram, remove any equipment from her. Be sure to include pouches and symbols she may have."  
 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T19:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram moves to Mierul and begins to look for any potentially magical items or weapons to remove.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move east 3 squares to Mierul
Examine Mierul for any potentially magical looking items, weapons or spellcasting items to start removing as action economy will allow.
 
lostsole31
 R3T19:  Moorgram moves to Mierul and begins to look for  any potentially weaponizable or magical items. He can't know from magic  just from looking, but she does seem to have a fancy entertainer's  outfit with a white hood, a very expensive-looking necklace, a coin  pouch, an obvious spell component pouch, and several small vials hanging  from her belt with little quick-pull string ties. She already dropped  her light crossbow, and she doesn't appear with a search to have any  weapons hidden, though her nails do appear sharp. The time it took to  move to her and search her is all he had, and he didn't have time to  actually remove anything yet.

 R3T16:  Moorgram feels a sharp pain in his left calf ( 1 )  followed by numbing cold that he ignores, and Red-fey is standing at  his feet now, having stabbed him with its tiny widdle wapier.

 R3T8:  Darkhelm dispatches Blue, but makes a point of showing the soldiers in case anyone tries to think of anything.

 R3T9:   Lady Argentea gets into a shield-focused defensive stance but lashes  out with a very aggressive strike with her cold iron longsword that does   18 , dropping the fey.   "Keep focused on her,"   she says, refocusing on the downed larger fey.   "Definitely remove that spell pouch, followed by the liquids."  
 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T19:   Moorgram , what do you do? You also still have axe in hand.
Ostoril
Moorgram gives a grunt to Lady Argentea as he kneels down next to Mierul, setting his axe down and begins the process of removing her spell component pouch, vials and necklace and placing them behind him.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

[Move] Kneel
[Free?] Set axe down
Start removing things, in order spell component pouch then vials and then necklace as time allows. Moving them to square to the left of Moorgram.
 
lostsole31
 R4T19:  Moorgram gives a grunt to Lady Argentea as he kneels down next to  Mierul, setting his axe down and removes the spell component pouch and a single vial.

 R4T8:  Darkhelm comes around with short sword at the ready.

 R4T9:  Lady Argentea readies her stroke should Mierul fail to understand her dire situation.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T19:   Moorgram , Mierul's eyes flutter open as she awakens. What do you do/ say?
Ostoril
Moorgram pauses his removal of her gear for a brief moment to let the confused transition from sleeping to wakefulness occur.   "Don't waste your life, you have lost, there is no need for your death, too many have died already."   He says bitterly as he resumes removing her gear.
lostsole31
 R5T19:  Moorgram pauses his removal of her gear for a brief moment to let the confused transition from sleeping to wakefulness occur.   "Don't waste your life, you have lost, there is no need for your death, too many have died already,"   he says bitterly as he resumes removing her gear (two more vials removed).

 R5T8:   With battle seemingly done, Darkhelm turns to the smaller fey and  attempts first aid. It seems she is unsuccessful right now, but ...

 R5T9:  .... Lady Argentea remains vigilant as safety cover for Moorgram.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T20:  Mierul says,   "It  is painful, and inconvenient. But death is not the same to fey as it is  to a fragile mortal like yourself. But painful and inconvenient enough I  shall yield."  
 R6T19:   Moogram , continue to de-gear the fey?
Ostoril
Moorgram continues removing her gear.
lostsole31
 R6T19:  Moorgram continues to remove her gear.

At  this point, it is really just a check now to see if the small fey can  be stabilized. As it is, it self-stabilizes without Darkhelm's help.

 Combat Ends! 

Darkhelm carries the fallen fey to the dining room table even as Lady Argentea marches Mierul there and has her sit down.

Now what?
Ostoril
  "Are there any others who would seek to harm us on this level?"   Moorgram asks as he shakes out the injury to his leg.   "We do not wish to shed any more blood than necessary, and a peaceful surrender is preferable."  
lostsole31
  "I'm sure it would be,"   says Mierul glibly.
Ostoril
Moorgram lets out a heavy sigh. He pinches the bridge of his nose and pauses a moment.   "Why is it you wish to fight us? Why do you wish us your enemy?"   His voice taking on a sharp tone of frustration.   "You endanger the safety of any ally you do not give us the opportunity to offer surrender. Their blood will be on your hands."  
lostsole31
Mierul begins to whistle a jaunty tune.
Ostoril
Moorgramshakes his head and looks to Lady Argentia.   "I left my rope downstairs, and even then I don't trust her enough to not try something stupid. Should one of us stay to keep watch, or should we take them downstairs for the others to watch before clearing the rest of this floor?"  
lostsole31
  "Downstairs, definitely,"   says Lady Argentea.

And with that, she sets up an organized prisoner transfer downstairs so that the men and Mierul are under the watchful eyes and wrathful strength of Windrunner, Arthog, Nadya, and even Hatch.  Because of he worries of spellcasting, Mierul will be bound and gagged for now.

Does that seem good to Moorgram?
Ostoril
Moorgram agrees to the plan.
lostsole31
The plan is carried out and they are kept in the southern barracks while the trio (Lady Argentea, Darkhelm, and Moogram) return above. Where from here?
Ostoril
  "Around the side, or up the center?"   He looks at the hallway up ahead, then the door to the north.   "I vote we go around the edges first."   he gestures to the door to the far north.
lostsole31
The ladies agree, and you moves to the northern door. Now what?
Ostoril
Axe in one hand, Moorgram readies himself to open the door, looking to his companions to signal their readiness.
lostsole31
They both nod and Moorgram (ostensibly) opens the door. Several cabinets line the narrow walls of this oddly angular room. A chopping block, water barrel, and cauldron stand near the room’s only door. The tantalizing smells of fresh baked bread and meaty stew fill the air.

 Surprise Round ... 
 S15:   Something steps right up to Moorgram and a terrifying supernatural  power blooms forth from it, but Moorgram's grit easily overcomes the  scare.

 End Surprise Round, Begin Round One ...

R1T19:   While not an acrobat, the athletic and agile Darkhelm jumps up onto the  dinging room table, crosses, and hops down again between the table and  the wall to get a better view of what just sent magic out into the hall.  She shoots over Moorgram's head in vain. She is not much of a CQB  archer, either.

 R1T15:  The creature changes size  from something as small as a gnome to a small giant, practically  filling the kitchen beyond. It takes out a now giant-sized morningstar.

 R1T14:   Lady Argentea sets up her normal defensive patter, gets into a stance  and calls out things which keep one's spirit from quailing against fear,  and then gives inspiring commands to the group, especially Moorgram.

 R1T3:   Moorgram ,  you hesitated. You had seen a spit-second into the future, but took the  wrong path that caused you to hesitate dreadfully. In front of you,  flecks of saliva drip from the corners of this filthy and ill-smelling  humanoid, and its large, pointed ears twitch at every sound. It had  looked like a sickly gnome, but now is about 9' tall, and appears almost  feral and alien. What do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Bogey in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram readies his axe for a fight but glowers at the beast.   "Nightmares belong in dreams, so to the land of dreams with you."   he says as he stares the beast down.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move: "draw" weapon
Standard: Slumber Hex
 
lostsole31
 R1T3:  Moorgram readies his axe for a fight but glowers at the beast.   "Nightmares belong in dreams, so to the land of dreams with you,"   he says as he stares the beast down.

It  is a fight. It really is, as the bogey tries to swallow the oncoming  yawn the best way it can before it finally succumbs and drops to the  floor.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T19:    "There's no way we can trust a monster of that size to behave itself when it awakens. Moorgram, will you deliver the stroke?"   asks Darkhelm.

 R2T15:  The bogey snores.

 R2T14:  Lady Argentea, understanding, turns away.

 R2T3:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram nods and does his best to bring an end to the creature with 1 well placed stroke.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Coup de grace the creature.
 
lostsole31
 R2T3:  Moorgram nods and does his best to bring an end to the creature with one well-placed stroke.

 Combat Ends! 

Unfortunately, the creature stays dead at the larger size, and looks like it will make checking the kitchen difficult.

What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram does his best to get a look inside the room, searching for any obvious doors or other methods of entry/exit.
lostsole31
There is no other apparent egress from this room. After a quick search, the only thing of interest Moorgram finds is a tray of baked goods, including an ornate and delicious-looking white dragon cookie.
Ostoril
  "It looks clear, no other obvious doors. I'll have to come back here later, but no time now. Let's check the south door next?"   he reports.
lostsole31
They cross to the southern door. Opening it up, it appears to be a long, curving hallway with a set of stairs going up a little bit (about the same number and height differential as the dais in the dining hall). There is also a door just inside, immediately to the southwest.
Ostoril
Moorgram steps inside the hallway and nods to the door just inside as he cautiously continues down the hallway, checking to make sure no foes lurk just beyond the curve.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move SE, SE, E.
 
lostsole31
Moorgram moves right up to another door to the north, while another 15' down there is a door to the south, and the hallway continues to curve around.
Ostoril
Peering around the hallway Moorgram looks back to Lady Argentea,   "Lets go back and start clearing the rooms, there are more doors than I was expecting. Unless you think it is wiser to explore the entire hallway first?"  
lostsole31
  "May as well get a measure of the hallway,"   says Lady Argentea.
Ostoril
  "Very well."   Moorgram says and continues to search the hallway.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move East 4 squares.
 
lostsole31
Moorgram passes the door to the south, and the eastward bit curves north. He finally sees a door to the north.
Ostoril
  "No enemies in the hall, lets start to clear so that nothing gets behind us. I'd hate to be sandwiched between more of those things in the kitchen."   He says as he moves back towards the entrance of the hallway.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move to the door to the south just inside the entrance of the hallway. 5 W, 1 NW if my math is correct?
 
lostsole31
Moorgram opens the door. A bed, desk, and storage locker furnish this small circular chamber. A five-foot-tall mirror hangs on the wall opposite the room’s only door.
Ostoril
Moorgram searches the room for anything out of sight. He looks under the bed, behind the mirror, any drawers in the desk and attempts to open the locker.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Perform a search of the room. If it is mechanically any different he is looking for anything simply out of sight rather than truly secret or hidden. Doesn't want one of those ankle pokers just having moved behind the mirror or a halfling hiding under the bed.
 
lostsole31
Moorgram and co. find a locked storage locker under the bed.
Ostoril
Moorgram pulls out the locker and gestures at it to the others.   "If either of you know how to easily open it, be my guest, otherwise I say we come back to it."   He says as he goes about clearing the rest of the room.
lostsole31
  "Ten-Penny was better at this than I,"   says Darkhelm, taking out some tools.   "I'm not really good. Like, even basic locks are still tough for me, and this looks like a good lock."  

She tries it, and then says,   "I feel like that was a good effort, but still no go. I could really take my time with it, if you let me."  
Ostoril
Moorgram chews his lip with impatience for a moment.   "I suppose there isn't much danger in taking some time, if they were aware, they likely would have already acted."  
lostsole31
Darkhelm takes her time, taking 2 minutes to carefully work the lock and is successful. Inside is nothing exceptional or valuable. Just some extra clothes of an exotic cut that tell you that this must be Mierul's room and belongings.
Ostoril
Sufficiently confident in the room containing no hidden hostiles, Moorgram moves back to the hallway and moves up the stairs to the next doorway, on the opposite side of the hall, waiting for his allies to be ready before opening it.
lostsole31
Darkhelm and Lady Argentea nod to Moorgram, ready for him to open the door....
Ostoril
Moorgram opens the door.
lostsole31
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the walls of this sprawling chamber. An ornate wooden table, covered with open texts and lit candles, and six chairs sit in the middle of the room. A massive mirror hangs on the western wall. Across from Moorgram stands a woman with a glowing greatsword, smirking at you with a silent, gesturing challenge.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T12:  Not seeing anything from her part, Lady Argentea steps in just past Moorgram and stops.   "We  have chewed steadily through your defenses - mundane and magical.  Please surrender, and as others have done, we shall accept it."  
 R1T11:  The woman with the greatsword begins casting a spell, completely disregarding Lady Argentea Malassene's offer.

 R1T10:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram steps forward, readying his axe to fight.   "Enough blood has been shed. Lay down your arms and rest."   he intones.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

5ft step closer
"draw" my greataxe
Cast slumber hex.
 
lostsole31
 R1T10:  Moorgram steps forward, readying his axe to fight.   "Enough blood has been shed. Lay down your arms and rest,"   he intones.

And  so, she does. During the short time she sleeps, the party is able to  secure her, and to remove her greatsword, masterwork throwing axe, and  dagger.

 Combat Ends! 
Ostoril
  "She WAS trying to cast something. Don't see that many casters with a sword like this. Should we haul her back to the others?"   Moorgram asks as he examines her weapons.
lostsole31
Lady Argentea nods.

This is what that woman had on her...
Greatsword
Masterwork Throwing Axe
Dagger

(3) vials that detect as magic:  elixir of fire breath , and 2  potions of cure moderate wounds 
2 Keys
Ostoril
  "This axe is nicer than the ones I have and I think it would be best for those of us getting in close to the enemy blades to have these potions in case we get cut off. Would either of you mind if I hold onto them for now?"   asks Moorgram as he gathers up her gear and prepares to escort her back to their companions downstairs.   "We can search the room once she is secured, but lets not risk her waking up while were distracted searching."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Moorgram would like to hold onto the masterwork throwing axe, and at least 1 healing potion (offer the other to Lady Argentea?), and keep the keys with the adventuring group. The rest can got to whoever wants or party loot when we make it back down.
 
lostsole31
Moorgram gets temporary custody of the axe and a healing potion; Lady Argentea a healing potion; and Darkhelm the elixir.

Do you go back to search the room the captain (the female caster) was in? If so, quick or deep search? If not, what do you do?
Ostoril
After escorting their prisoner, Moorgram heads back to the room they found her in to perform a quick search of it before continuing on with their sweep of the floor.
lostsole31
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the walls of this sprawling chamber. An ornate wooden table, covered with open texts and lit candles, and six chairs sit in the middle of the room. A massive mirror hangs on the western wall.

The proprietor maintains an extensive library of collected lore here. The books cover such varied topics as Golarion history, the Great Beyond, and bestiaries on dragons, fey, and magical beasts of the icy north.  
 Spoiler: OOC 
Each collection grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (history), Knowledge (planes), and corresponding monster lore skill checks.
 
The open tomes on the table all relate to Taldor.

Also, sitting to the side of where the captain had been is a pouch with 32 gp.
Ostoril
Moorgrams lips curl back in a snarl as he views the books about Taldor. He grabs the pouch of coin and puts it away to later add to the groups loot.   "Damned witches."   he growls.   "Lets move on, we can read later."   he says as he makes his way to the hallway and readies to move to the next door down the hall.
lostsole31
  "We'll check that other door to the east in this room if we don't come back to this point from another direction,"   says Lady Argentea, for there is a door exiting the second subsection of this library to the east.

Out in the hallway, the trio waits at the door as its checked.

 Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram awaits for confirmation from his allies that they are ready before opening the door and readying his axe for a fight.
lostsole31
Moorgram opens the door. The scent of perfume fills the air of this small bedroom where several dresses styled for a Taldan noblewoman lie neatly arranged on the bed. A mirrored vanity and chair sit by the door next to a wooden chest, and a larger mirror hangs on the wall between two windows.

Turning around to look at you from her place by the mirror ... is the Lady Argentea Malassene!

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T17:   Not because Darkhelm was at the right angle to see anything, but more  out of a slowly-earned training to move if the front-person/  breech-holder (i.e. Moorgram in this case) isn't moving, Darkhelm moves  past Moorgram into the room, jumps up on the bed near the pillow by the  northern wall, and then calls out while training her crossbow on the  possible impostor,   "We have a fake Lady Argentea in here! You, impostor, down on the ground."  
 R1T10:  The faux-lady begins to rush forth towards Moorgram, but not before being shot in the lower left forearm by Darkhelm for  4 .  The faux-lady Argentea finishes her charge in a Taldan noblewoman's  outfit and her fine manicured hands turn to claws that slams into his  chain shirt. It might be a fake Lady Argentea, but it definitely seems  to have her strength.

 R1T9:   Moorgram , you  would have gone before her/ its charge, but you followed incorrect  lines of possibility in your weird time-vision. You feel adrenaline or  something as your muscles surge and bulge. What do you do?
Ostoril
  "A bedroom is meant for rest."   Moorgram intones as he looks at the fake lady, and takes a step back tightening the grip on his axe and opening up some room to fight.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

5ft shift back 1 sq "North".
Slumber hex on the imposter.
 
lostsole31
 R1T9:    "A bedroom is meant for rest,"     Moorgram intones as he looks at the fake lady, and takes a step back  tightening the grip on his axe and opening up some room to fight. But  the fake lady has real grit and is unaffected by the attempt at a quick  win on the axe wielder's part.

 R1T8:  On hearing there is a fake version of herself, Lady Argentea grits her teeth and steps into the void just created by Moorgram.   "Flank her, Darkhelm!"    she orders as she gets into a fighting stance and makes a special  attack at her double. She soft crits the double in his belly for  24 .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T11:   Darkhelm brilliant somersaults off of the bed while taking out her  shortsword and stabs Fake-Lady in her/its back upper left arm for  8 .

 R2T10:   The Fake-Lady recovers from her initial charge and throws herself at  her mirror, the real Lady. Lady Argentea fails to shield block one of  the claws that formed on the woman and gets her face scratched for  11 .

 R2T9:   Moorgram ,  you gave up your position, and now aren't likely to get into the fray.  Your adrenaline continues to kick up, but this time it is less about  power and more about reaction time and nerve conduction. What do you do?

Lady Argentea on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram grits his teeth.   "Lay down or I will end this with my axe."   he intones as he focuses on the imposter and draws the new throwing axe he picked up while he holds his greataxe in his off hand.
 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Accursed Hex to use slumber on the imposter.
"unequip" great axe.
Draw MW throwing axe.
 
lostsole31
 R2T9:  Moorgram grits his teeth.   "Lay down, or I will end this with my axe,"    he intones as he focuses on the imposter and draws the new throwing axe  he picked up while he holds his greataxe in his off hand.

The  fake lady Argentea falls to the ground. Asleep. The only hint to show  that it isn't really Lady Argentea are the weird, supersized clawed  fingers at the edge of her hands.

 R2T8:  Lady Argentea moves into the room and puts away her sword and shield.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T11:  Darkhelm tears linens off the bed and post-her turn ties up the impostor.

 Initiative Ends! 
Ostoril
  "Strange, why take your form?"   Moorgram asks, more to voice the thought than expecting a real answer. He stows his throwing axe and takes a quick look around the room.
lostsole31
  "Now it makes sense,"   says Lady Argentea.   "I thought it was just bandits performing murder-and-ransom, but this says something different. My hunch is that I wasn't to be ransomed, but learned from and then dispatched so that this plant could then pave the way for a cross-portal invasion of Taldor. Less sensational, it would be a way to plant a spy."  
Ostoril
  "Yet more crimes to pay for."   Moorgram mutters.   "This one is your imposter, shall we take it prisoner like the others?"  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea nods,   "We will not kill out of hand except for monsters and those that refuse mercy. This witch's spells will fade."  

The party takes the now-conscious and now-docile faux Lady Argentea, whose polymorph shifts slowly to that of a female caster - though not a white-haired one.  She is taken down and added to the growing "gen pop."

The trio return to fake lady's apartment. There actually isn't much there of value.

What next?
Ostoril
Moorgram makes a quick check of the imposters room before making his way back to the hallway and moving to the door at the end of the hall, waiting for his companions to be ready for entry.
lostsole31
The door is checked clear, and the two ladies are ready.
Ostoril
With a nod, Moorgram opens the door and readies his axe for combat.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Open door
"Draw weapon"
 
lostsole31
It appears to be a curving hallway but opening up to a chamber, most of which you can't see from the doorway.
Ostoril
Cautiously, Moorgram steps into the room keeping his eyes and ears open for threats.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move NE,N
Perception check to see/hear anything that might be lurking in ambush?
 
lostsole31
A long red carpet extends from the western doorway of this mirrored hall between ice sculptures of twin nymphs, ending at an open alcove to the east. Passageways continue north and south, following the contours of the tower’s outer wall, where windows look out over the open courtyard below.
Ostoril
Moorgram looks back to his companions, gesturing to the double doors.   "Think that leads back to the first hall? If so the door to it's left would be the library?"   Moorgram steps into the hall and up to the door he believes leads back to the library and waits for his companions to ready themselves to enter.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move W,W,SW
 
lostsole31
No sooner does Moorgram begin moving west than the two statues of ice  nymphs come alive. Moorgram is to observant to be surprised, but he  doesn't finish his movement as intended.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T22:  Darkhelm shoots Blue right in center mass with the masterwork crossbow for  8  before arcing north and west to the western double doors.

 R1T10:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram lets out a snarl at the suddenly animate statues. Letting out his tension and frustration, he brings up his axe and swings it at the nearest one.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Free Action - Rage
Move "Draw Weapon"
Standard - Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack  (1d20+7)[ 16 ]  (+2 from rage) for  (1d12+10)[ 19 ]  slashing damage. (+1 from Axe to grind? Not sure if Argentia is threatening yet, +2 from rage)
 
lostsole31
 R1T10:  Moorgram lets out a snarl at the suddenly animate statues. Letting out  his tension and frustration, he brings up his axe and swings it at the  nearest one for  22 .

 R1T19:  Blue slams Moorgram in the right elbow for  3 , and in the head for  8 .

 R1T8:  Lady Argentea sidesteps northeast, gets into a fighting stance, and gives a heartening war cry.

 R1T7:  Red steps forward and crits Moorgram on the top of the head for  13 , then swings low to hit him right above his reproductive organs for  8 , likely cracking the pubic bone.

 End Round One, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T22:  Darkhelm, seeing Moorgram so besieged, draws her short sword while charging Blue, stabbing it for  12 .

 R7T10:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Blue on deck, Lady Argentea in the hole ...
Ostoril
In pain, Moorgram darts out from between the two statues, bringing his axe around at his previous target.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

5ft Shift SW.
(Just noticed the rage value entries on character sheet...)
Rage Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack  (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  (+2 for flank) for  (1d12+12)[ 19 ]  slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R2T10:  In pain, Moorgram darts out from between the two  statues, bringing his axe around at his previous target. With Lady  Argentea's war cry, that is just enough to cause the ice nymph sculpture  to shatter!

 R2T8:  Lady Argentea steps into the  rubble to help screen the badly wounded Moorgram, but her sword only  makes a superficial bite against the ice hide.

 R2T7:   The ice nymph swings as Lady Argentea actively blocks with her shield,  but that only opens her shield arm to get struck with a second slam for  5 .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22:  Darkhelm power strikes for  8 .

 R3T10:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Lady Argentea on deck, Animated Ice Nymph in the hole ...
Ostoril
Hoping to end the fight quickly, Moorgram moves around Darkhelm and tries to maneuver behind the statue, swinging his axe with all his might.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move: NW,N,N,NE
Rage Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack  (1d20+9)[ 15 ]  for  (1d12+12)[ 24 ]  slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R3T10:  Hoping to end the fight quickly, Moorgram moves around Darkhelm and  tries to maneuver behind the statue, swinging his axe with all his  might, but finding he went too far north to reach his target.

 R3T8:  Lady Argentea sidesteps to the east and strikes for  13 .

 R3T7:   The ice statue counterattacks the lady, but she catches the first on  her shield. While the fist is held up Lady Argentea bites its icy  fingers for  3 , but then the other slam comes in to strike the lady in the chest for  6 .

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T22:  Darkhelm gets into flank and nips it with her short sword for  6 .

 R4T10:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Lady Argentea on deck, Enemy in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram shakes his head, clearly the previous blow was more severe than he realized. He steps up to the statue and swings his axe.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

5-foot shift SE
Rage Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack  (1d20+9)[ 22 ]  for  (1d12+12)[ 13 ]  slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R4T10:  Moorgram shakes his head, clearly the previous  blow was more severe than  he realized. With a hard corner, he has to go around to get to where he  wanted; as he moves past the nymph hits him in the armor. Moorgram  takes up his position and slams his axe against the thing for  13 .

 R4T8:   With the thing having been pummeled several times, Lady Argentea  changes her tactics to defensive, strikes, and destroys the thing,  turning it into so much icy rubble.

 Combat Ends! 
Ostoril
Moorgram lets out a huff and drinks the potion he picked up earlier as he leans against the wall, letting the adrenaline clean from his system.   "That, did not go so well."   he mutters.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Drink potion of Cure Moderate Wounds.
End Rage.
 
lostsole31
The potion gives Moorgram   7 healing  .

Lady Argentea hands Moorgram the other potion.   "Drink this. Take a minute to catch your breath. We'll next check the door to the southeast. I have a suspicion it goes to the secondary room - the library - where we fought the captain."  
Ostoril
  "Thanks."   Moorgram says before downing the potion. He catches his breath before preparing to enter the door to the southeast.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Drink the potion
Wait until rage fatigue ends
Move to SE door. SE, SE, S I believe it is.
 
lostsole31
The second potion was amped as it provides Moorgram with   18 healing  !

Moorgram takes the time to recover and the group resets at the door. It is checked and open, and sure enough, it is the (eastern) door noticed from where you fought the captain.

What now?
Ostoril
Having already searched the room Moorgram makes his way back to the previous room and moves up to the double doors.   "Hopefully this just goes back to the main hall."   he says as he readies to open the door.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move to the south most of the double doors. I belive that would be NE,NW?
 
lostsole31
Lady Argentea sheathes her sword and once the door is checked, they both open the doors. The doors open up to the passage where Mierul was fought, that itself opens over the mess hall to the west.

Now what?
Ostoril
  "These should open to the library?"   Moorgram says as he steps up to the double doors on the south side. He awaits his companions before opening them.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Move W,W.
 
lostsole31
Sure enough ......
Ostoril
Moorgram lets out a sigh of relief and turns to the doors across the hall. He makes his way up to them and prepares for something to try to kill him on the other side.
lostsole31
Moorgram opens the doors. Several tables, covered in flowering plants and decorative figurines both large and small, occupy the corners of this brightly lit large room. A large mirror hangs on the northwestern wall, while double doors lead north and south.
Ostoril
Moorgram cautiously enters the room, observing the surroundings for threats before examining the room in closer detail.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

5foot step into room N
Perception check for any foes?

If nothing, take a closer look at the room, particularly the plants.
 
lostsole31
Moogram moves in a few feet and looks around. Sensing nothing dangerous, he moves over to look at the plants.

 Surprise Round! 
 S17:  Completely hidden in the vegetation is something that gives forth a baleful screech.

 Moorgram , roll a Will save!
Ostoril
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Will Save:  (1d20+9)[ 14 ]  +2 from Hardy?
 
lostsole31
It is a very unsettling shriek, and Moorgram almost loses his lunch, but he rallies (without booting).

 Begin Round One ...

R1T24:   Moorgram , you see a filthy creature resembling a  small, wide-mouthed, fat child made from tree bark, leaves, vines, dirt,  and pallid tubers. What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram looks at the filthy child thing.   "Calm yourself, we mean you no harm. Relax."   he intones.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Slumber hex
 
lostsole31
 R1T24:  Moorgram looks at the filthy child thing.   "Calm yourself, we mean you no harm. Relax,"    he intones. The little creature stops its shrieking and gives a yawn  that is creepy-adorable, but stays on its misshapen, leg-look parts.

 R1T18:  Darkhelm comes in, teping to her friends... 
 Spoiler: Darkhelm &gt;&gt;&gt; Friends 
   "What ..is that?!"   
 
...  while moving in an arc for a clear line of fire if needed, but  withholding an attack for Moorgram to do what he's doing.

 R1T17:  The thing then darts a few feet south with surprising speed. It bites upwards into Moorgram's shoulder for  6 , and with little fists swings twice at him, having gone from disgusting-cute to completely terrifying dirt-monster!

 R1T12:    "Kill that thing!"   commands Lady Argentea. She then begins to give inspiring commands on how best to accomplish that.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Critter in the hole ...
Ostoril
While Moorgram disagrees with Lady Argentea on many things, this is not one of them. He shifts his feet and swings his axe at the creature.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Tactical Strike Greataxe:  (1d20+7)[ 16 ]  for  (1d12+10)[ 18 ]  (+1 from axe to grind?) slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R2T24:  While Moorgram disagrees with Lady Argentea on  many things, this is not  one of them. He shifts his feet and swings his axe at the creature, and  it is Lady Argentea's inspiring commands that gives the last needed  little bit for his axe to bite the monster for  20 .

 R2T18:   Darkhelm tepes a classic Skald curse and concentrates. Her dark skin  briefly turns darker in response to the flash of light at the "eyes"  (like a potato) of the little monster,  dazzling  the creature and causing it to momentarily recoil.

 R2T17:   The dazzled creature swings wildly at Moorgram, and on the final claw  attempt, it goes to low at Moorgram and he thumps it in the face with  the top of the haft of his axe to  daze  the creature.

 R2T12:  Lady Argentea stops her inspiring  commands. She moves around the north instead of trying to fight over a  table and strikes against the monster for  19 .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24:   Moorgram , you feel a slight flush like a second wind. What do you do?

Darkhelm on deck, Critter in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram swings his axe once again at the strange potato child thing.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Tactical Strike Greataxe:  (1d20+7)[ 18 ]  for  (1d12+10)[ 17 ]  slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R3T24:  Moorgram swings his axe once again at the strange potato child thing for  17 .

 R3T18:  Darkhelm moves in close and power strikes the creature for  8 .

 R3T17:  The creature is dazed and dazzled ...

 R3T12:  Lady Argentea cuts the thing down, and then it is smashed and mashed to be sure.

 Combat Ends! 
Ostoril
  "What was that thing?"   he says with a sniff of the air as he looks around for signs of other threats.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Observe room for other threats, also Child Scent to see if this thing is a child of something?
 
lostsole31
The other two don't know, but the Moorgram thinks about the thing, it seems like it was possibly a type of plant creature called a "mandragora." It is vulnerable to supernatural darkness, has varying degrees of resistance to acid, cold, and electricity, and has a horrific scream that nauseates those that hear it.
Ostoril
Moorgram thinks on the creature for a moment.   "Mandragora? Let's hope there are not more about."   He mutters to himself before performing a quick search of the room before moving on to the next set of doors.
lostsole31
The room is checked for two minutes and nothing of interest. Double doors checked clear and opened. Tiles of ice cover the floor in this recessed alcove, beneath a large window overlooking the tower’s northern exposure.
Ostoril
Moorgram carefully steps into the room to get a better look and making sure there are no hidden foes, being cautious of the likely slippery ice tiles.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Step 1 square north, make sure nothing hiding just out of sight, visually examine the tiles more closely.
 
lostsole31
Okay, now what?
Ostoril
Not being assailed by any hidden foes, Moorgram carefully places a foot on the strange new tiles, testing how slippery it may be or if it reacts to touch.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Also, can I see the hallway wrapping around in either direction?
 
lostsole31
There is a flash, and suddenly Moorgram finds himself in a completely  new area. A triangle of crossed steel wires runs between three wooden  posts in this crescent-shaped room that smells strongly from the bird  droppings scattered across the floor. Along the south wall, open windows  look down from a dizzying height, admitting a brisk, cold wind. Two  doors exit this chamber, one next to a large mirror to the west and  another standing between a pair of wooden chests to the northeast.

There is a woman just inside and to the east, sitting on a bench by the eastern door. She stands.   "Who are you?"  
Ostoril
Moorgram looks at the lady.   "Moorgram."   he states turning to face the woman head on.   "I don't wish to fight, Miss?..."  
lostsole31
  "I am Jairess Sonn, cleric of Gozreh and ravenmaster of the castle,"   says the woman.   "Did you have anything to do with the attack against my ravens recently? A fey and a witchcrow came in, when the withcrow attacked the fey with some sort of betrayal. I and my ravens killed both intruders.

"Who are you, and why are you here, Moorgram?"  
Ostoril
  "So, you have slain my companions."   Moorgram says as he tightens his grip on his axe.   "My home was invaded, my best friend, no, my family was slain."   He grits his teeth in a moment of anger at the memory.   "Too much blood is being shed. I am here to put an end to it. The master of this tower must answer for her deeds. You are doing your duty, but I ask you give me no more reason to spill blood and let me pass."  
lostsole31
  "Yet, I must try to do my duty, and your friend killed many of my friends,"   she says, gesturing to the ravens. She then whistles, and the ravens suddenly take to the air!

 Begin Round One ...

R1T20:  The ravens swarm around Moorgram, with a particular focus around Moorgram's face and eyes, doing  6 .

 Moorgram , roll both a Ref save and a Fort save! (It is not your turn.)
Ostoril
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Reflex Save:  (1d20+9)[ 23 ] 
Fortitude Save:  (1d20+11)[ 17 ] 

Hardy: +2 racial bonus on saves spells &amp; SLAs. +1 racial bonus on saves vs. poisons.
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:  Jairess curves around to the south, and sends an  arc of electricity that strikes Moorgram right in the soft nerve  cluster of his right elbow for   7 electricity  .

 R1T11:   Moorgram , what do you do?

Swarm on deck, Jairess in the hole ...
Ostoril
  "Calm yourself, relax and let this nightmare end."   Moorgram intones as he readies his axe.

 
 Spoiler 

Draw Weapon
Slumber Hex on Jairess
 
lostsole31
 R1T11:    "Calm yourself, relax and let this nightmare end."   Moorgram intones as he readies his axe. The intonation seems to work as she drops to the ground in a comfortable position.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T20:  The raven swarm swoops around Moorgram, pecking at him for 4.

 R2T11:   Moorgram , roll a Ref save, followed by a Will save. What do you do?
Ostoril
  "Back you feathered beasts!"   Moorgram shouts as he swings his axe through the cloud of feathers and beaks as he plods his way through.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Reflex:  (1d20+9)[ 18 ] 
Will:  (1d20+10)[ 12 ] 
Hardy: +2 racial bonus on saves spells &amp; SLAs. +1 racial bonus on saves vs. poisons.

Riskey Strike Great Axe:  (1d20+7)[ 9 ]  for  (1d12+10)[ 17 ]  (+1 axe to grind) slashing damage.
Move: S,SE,E,E
 
lostsole31
 R2T11:    "Back, you feathered beasts!"   Moorgram shouts, swinging his axe very weakly as he is overcome and freaked out by the birds ( distracted )!  As he gets away from the birds, he finds that the roped off penned area  is difficult terrain to cross through/ into the roped off areas.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T20:  The ravens give chase, biting and pecking Morgram for  2 .

 R3T11:   Moorgram , roll a Ref save and a Will save. What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram curses and swings his axe again, focusing a bit more on hitting some of the birds instead of moving this time.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Reflex:  (1d20+9)[ 24 ] 
Will:  (1d20+11)[ 23 ] 
Hardy (Ex):  +2 racial bonus on saves spells &amp; SLAs. +1 racial bonus on saves vs. poisons.


Risket Strike Greataxe:  (1d20+7)[ 11 ]  for  (1d12+10)[ 19 ]  (+1 from Axe to grind) slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R3T11:  Moorgram curses and swings his axe again,  focusing a bit more on hitting some of the birds instead of moving this  time, but swinging wildly.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T20:  The ravens continues to flock and peck at him for  2 .

 R4T11:   Moogram , roll a Ref save followed by a Will save! Assuming he succeeds, what does he do?

Ravens on deck, Jairess - who is now stirring - in the hole ...
Ostoril
  "Begone you birds!"   Moorgram roars as he lets loose a swing of rage and moves towards the stirring Jairess.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Reflex:  (1d20+9)[ 11 ] 
Will:  (1d20+11)[ 12 ] 
Hardy: +2 racial bonus on saves spells &amp; SLAs. +1 racial bonus on saves vs. poisons.
Free action rage
Raged Riskey Strike Greataxe:  (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  for  (1d12+12)[ 23 ]  (+1 from axe to grind) slashing damage.
Move: SW
 
lostsole31
 R4T11:    "Begone, you birds!"   Moorgram  roars as now nauseated and blinded he screams in rage while stumbling  towards the southwest. Unable to see, he stumbles and trips over the  ropes and lands prone in a thick area of bird poop - both fresh and old,  while partially tangled in two sets of ropes. Moorgram begins to get  his vision back, and his floor-bound troubles makes him more focused, no  longer distracted.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T20:  The ravens continue to harass Moorgram, doing  5 .

 R5T16:  Jairess stands carefully but still gets hit by a powerful, wild slash from Moorgram for  18 . She steps away.

 R5T11:   Moorgram , you are prone and entangled in the ropes you tripped over. What do you do?
Ostoril
Realizing the danger of his predicament, Moorgram stands and plods his way back the way he came, hoping that whatever brought him here will bring him back where he came from.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Stand.
Move (hoping the ropes are not terribly secured if it's enough to entangle him...) NW,NW,N
 
lostsole31
 R5T11:  Realizing the danger of his predicament,  Moorgram has to disentangle himself from the ropes, stand, and takes the  only clear step towards the way he came, hoping that whatever brought  him here will take him away in the same manner.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T20:  The ravens swarm around Moorgram for  3 , and he protects his face while keeping his wits about him.

 R6T16:  Jairess hurdles the western corner of the pen and circles around to block Moorgram, missing him as she thrusts her shortspear.

 R6T11:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Emboldened by Jairess' move to block his path, Moorgram continuing to make his way to safety and avoiding her attacks.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Total Defense
Move: N, NW (Dodge for +5 to AC vs AoOs?)
 
lostsole31
 R6T11:  Emboldened by Jairess' move to block his path,  Moorgram continues to make his way to safety, avoiding her attempt to  trip him. As soon as he lands on the slick blue pane, he disappears and  appears, bloodied, next to a curious and worried Darkhelm and Lady  Argentea.

 Initiative Ends! 
Ostoril
Moorgram pants heavily,   "So many birds. Our small friends are dead."   He takes several breaths.   "I met a Jairess Sonn, a cleric of Gozreh who claimed to be 'ravenmaster' of the castle. I brought her down to try and capture her, but her ravens refused to leave her side. I had to retreat."  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea says,   "How you can stand, looking at you, I do not know. We need to go below to the quadrupeds, because none of us up here have any healing."  
Ostoril
  "I, could use a nap about now."   Moorgram says in agreement as he begins to walk towards the camp obviously in some pain.
lostsole31
The ladies escort the barely-standing Moogram to the lower level to meet up with the others. Unfortunately, Windrunner had already expended the remainder of his very meager healing on himself.

Since Moorgram is the most capable healer, he is asked - despite the severity of his own wounds - to take tend to the long-term healing of the rest of the wounded in the party. Then, Nadya will bind Moorgram's wounds to do the same.

Moorgram passes out quickly. Too tired and wounded to think or do much.
lostsole31
  Fireday, 1 Arodus 4713 AR (Waning Crescent)  

Moogram wakes up, still stiff and wounded from the previous day, but having healed quickly enough despite that. What does he do?
Ostoril
Moorgram stretches, working the aches of the previous days battles out of his joints. He addresses his companions,   "Those birds will be a problem, so many, difficult to land a blow. They did not disperse when I brought their master down like I had hoped, do any of you have anything that might be more effective than my axe?"  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea and Darkhelm, who will continue with the party, cannot think of anything.

Nadya mentions that she once was able to disperse an angry bee swarm with the weird burst of power she can manifest, though she still doesn't quite understand it. She didn't want to continue with you more powerful heroes for the sake of her family, but understands that if you don't the ability to do something that she might, she feels obligated to go with you.
Ostoril
Moorgram waves her concerns away.   "We will find a way, it's not worth the risk for not knowing if your ability will effect birds. We can retreat again if it's too much."   He pauses a moment,   "Well presuming you can travel with me. Perhaps we need to hold hands like good friends when we step on those ice tiles?"   He smirks at Lady Argentea.
lostsole31
I can't tell, was that inviting Nadya, or asking her to stay safe here?

That said, do you "respawn" up at the crystal blue teleporter pad that takes you to the aerie?
Ostoril
Moorgram asks Nadya to stay back and watch over the others.

After a quick meal and checking his gear, he makes his way back to the ice tiles that took him to face Jairess Sonn.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Sorry, I am telling her to stay safe, and yes we will head back to the teleport pad, assuming nothing stops us along the way.
 
lostsole31
 Moorgram , you and Lady Argentea and Darkhelm head back up to the blue ice crystal teleporter pad.

Now what?
Ostoril
Moorgram looks to his companions.   "I assume the pad did not let you aid me last time? Shall we try going together this time?"   he asks.
lostsole31
The pad looks like it can only take two at a time. So, Moorgram and ... ?
Ostoril
  "Your abilities might cover my openings more."   he says motioning Darkhelm to join him.   "See if you can follow us through."   He says back to Lady Argentea.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Step on the pad with Darkhelm.
 
lostsole31
 Begin Round One ... 

The two would-be heroes appear on the pad in the aerie.

 R1T21:  Jairess gives the command for the ravens to attack. She then takes out a vial and downs its contents.

 R1T15:     "Get the handler!"     comes Darkhelm's telepathy. She darts to the southwest and  concentrates, and a series of multicolored, pulsing lights surrounds  her.

 R1T8:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
  "Lie down, let us not need to fight."   Moorgram intones as he moves opposite of Darkhelm to close the distance on Jairess.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Slumber Hex on Jairess.
Move: SE,E,E,SE,SE
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:    "Lie down, let us not need to fight."   Moorgram intones as he moves opposite of Darkhelm to close the distance on Jairess. And go to sleep she does!

 R1T7:   Despite Darkhelm's display of lights, as soon as Jairess falls, the  ravens become agitated and close on Moorgram. He swings his axe, doing  6 mod  to the swarm, but they continue all around him, biting and pecking Moorgram for  5 .

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T15:  Darkhelm comes around from the north while taking out her new, nice crossbow and shoots through the swarm, doing  2 mod .

 R2T8:   Moorgram , roll a Fort save, followed by a Ref save! Assuming all is okay, what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram takes a deep breath in the swarm, watching the flow and paths they take. Last time they evaded his axe, but this time he tries to keep a cool head and anticipate where they will be.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Fort:  (1d20+11)[ 23 ]  (Hardy (Ex):  +2 racial bonus on saves spells &amp; SLAs. +1 racial bonus on saves vs. poisons.)
Ref:  (1d20+9)[ 29 ]  (Hardy (Ex):  +2 racial bonus on saves spells &amp; SLAs. +1 racial bonus on saves vs. poisons.)

Cast true strike?
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:  Moorgram takes a deep breath in the swarm, watching the flow and paths  they take. Last time they evaded his axe, but this time he tries to keep  a cool head and anticipate where they will be.

 R2T7:  The raven swarm continues to flit around Moorgram for  1 .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T15:  Darkhelm draws her short sword and steps forward, stabbing wildly at the swarm.

 R3T8:   Moorgram , roll a Ref &amp; Fort save. What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram hefts his axe, lets out a roar and swings it with all his might at the swarming birds, hoping to bring them down.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Fortitude:  (1d20+11)[ 29 ] 
Reflex: (1d20+9)[ 18 ] 
Rage
Raging Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 21 ]  (+20 true strike? also I think attack values for rage are off on sheet as both are listed at +11, so i think it's not including the attack penalty?) for  (1d12+14)[ 25 ]  slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R3T8:  Moorgram hefts his axe, lets out a roar, and  swings it with all his might at the swarming birds, hoping to bring them  down, his axe tearing through the mass of them for  12 mod .

 R3T7:  The raven swarm moves slightly north, continuing to peck and bite at Moorgram for  4  and now Darkhelm for  2 . Darkhelm freaks out and is blinded!

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T15:  Darkhelm stumbles away.

 R4T15:   Moorgram , roll a Fort save, followed by a Will save. What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram continues to swing his axe through the swarm, hoping to end things before Jairess awakens.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Fortitude:  (1d20+11)[ 15 ] 
Reflex:  (1d20+9)[ 12 ] 
Continue Rage
Raging Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack: (1d20+11)[ 31 ]  for  (1d12+14)[ 16 ]  slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R4T15:  Moorgram continues to swing his axe through the  swarm, hoping to end things before Jairess awakens, but he does so  temporarily blinded. He still feels his axe bite nicely ( 8 mod ).

 R4T7:  The raven swarm still flutter and peck around him for  4 .

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T15:  ...

 R5T8:   Moorgram , roll a Fort save followed by a Ref save. What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram smirks. He may be blinded, but targets surround him. With another mighty swing of his axe, he lashes out at the offending birds hoping to end things.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Fortitude:  (1d20+12)[ 14 ] 
Reflex:  (1d20+9)[ 15 ] 
Continue Rage
Raging Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 28 ]  for  (1d12+14)[ 23 ]  damage. (axe to grind trait for +1 damage?)
 
lostsole31
 R5T8:  Moorgram smirks. He is no longer blinded and targets surround him. With  another mighty swing of his axe, he lashes out at the offending birds  hoping to end things. He chews through many birds for  12 mod , but they are still there. Jairess awakens.

 R5T7:  The raven swarm continues to swarm over Moorgram for  4 .

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T21:  Jairess gets up as carefully as she can, dodging out of the way of Moorgram's axe (if he were not blinded). She steps away.

 R6T15:  Darkhelm clambers over the ropes to get to Jairess and nicks her in the belly for  4 .

 R6T8:   Moorgram , roll a Fort save followed by a Ref save. What do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Ostoril
Moorgram continues his fury at the birds, swinging his axe with great force into their number. He then steps back to hinder Jairess' defense against Darkhelm.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Fortitude:  (1d20+12)[ 18 ] 
Reflex: [roll1d20+9[/roll]
Raging Riskey Strike Greataxe Attack: (1d20+11)[ 13 ]  for  (1d12+14)[ 19 ]  slashing damage.
5ft shift south.
 
lostsole31
 R6T8:  Moorgram continues his fury at the birds,  swinging his axe with great  force into their number, causing them to finally break formation and  rout, fleeing the aerie through the many windows to the south. He then  steps back to hinder Jairess' defense  against Darkhelm.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T21:    "Murderer!"   Jairess  shrieks as she withdraws in flight away from Moorgram. Darkhelm stabs  her in the back of the left thigh for 8 as she goes by. Jairess gets to  an altitude of 15'.

 R7T15:  Darkhelm patiently  puts her short sword away and reloads her crossbow, inspiring Moorgram  with some level of contagious confidence.

 R7T8:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
  "You chose violence!"   Moorgram snarls as he rushes around the roped off area to Jairess, drawing his masterwork throwing axe and hurling it at her.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Continue Rage
Hold Greataxe in 1 hand, draw MW Throwing Axe as part of move
Move: N,NW,NW,W,W,SW,W
Raging Riskey Strike MW Throwing Axe:  (1d20+5)[ 17 ]  (+1 from MW, wasn't sure if I should include it in base roll or not, so using values as is on sheet.) for  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  slashing damage.
 
lostsole31
 R7T8:    "You chose violence!"    Moorgram snarls as he rushes around the roped off area to Jairess,  drawing his masterwork throwing axe and hurling it at her, striking her  in the chest for  16 .

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T21:  Jairess flies around and beseeches Gozreh, casting a spell on herself for   7 healing  .

 R8T15:     "No, Moorgram. She didn't choose violence, but is shackled by her grief,"    Darkhelm tepes, on the hopes her words reach the frothing man. She shoots the flying Gozran for  6 , then reloads.

 R8T8:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram glances to Darkhelm then takes a deep breath and readies his axe in a defensive stance.   "What grief shames you Jairess? Why do you serve a murderer?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Drop rage.
Equip great axe again.
Total Defense.
 
lostsole31
 R8T8:  Moorgram glances to Darkhelm then takes a deep breath and readies his axe in a defensive stance.   "What grief shames you, Jairess? Why do you serve a murderer?"  
 End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T21:  Jairess flies around to the southwestern corner and casts a spell.

 R9T15:  Darkhelm calls out,    "We  don't need to end your life, Jairess. We keep the other guards prisoner  and feed them and keep them well. If you surrender to us, you will be  well treated. We don't blame you for the death of our friends. You are  an enemy combatant protecting your area, and not prone to vengeance as  an individual."   
 R9T8:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram glares at Jairess.   "What is it? What dwells on your heart so much that you fight us?"   He focuses on her, looking for any hint or sign of her past that would lead her to such actions.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Talk
Cast Vision on Jairess.
 
lostsole31
 R9T8:  Moorgram glares at Jairess.   "What is it? What dwells on your heart so much that you fight us?"    He focuses on her, looking for any hint or sign of her past that would  lead her to such actions. 
 Spoiler: Vision 
Moorgram sees a guy named  Moorgram slaughtering ravens who are attempting to protect their home  and friend Jairess.
 

 End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

R10T21:   Jairess' face contorts screaming,   "You killed my friends!"   and sends a bolt of electricity at Moorgram, who in turn easily dodges it.

 R10T15:  Darkhelm shoots at Jairess, her bolt being knocked away. Darkhelm telepathizes,    "Idea.  Leave her to her grief and let's get on the teleport pad. Damn, can't  quite get there. Wait for me to get on before you do."   
 R10T8:   Moorgram , you have greataxe in hand and are fatigued. What do you do?
Ostoril
Moorgram holds his ground and focuses on protecting himself while Darkhelm makes it to the pad.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Total Defense
 
lostsole31
 R10T8:  Moorgram holds his ground and focuses on protecting himself while Darkhelm makes it to the pad.

 End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T21:  Jairess sends out another arc of electricity, striking Moorgram in the gut for   6 electricity  .

 R11T15:  Darkhelm gets on the pad.

 R11T8:   Moorgram , what do you do?
Ostoril
  "Is this what your god would want? For the world to fall to winter?"   Moorgram says and backs away, reaching out to Darkhelm before stepping on the pad himself.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Speak
Move NE,N
 
lostsole31
And ... you're out.

Assuming you are done combat for now .. now what?
Ostoril
Moorgram takes a minute to catch his breath.   "I tried to talk the first time, she insisted on fighting. Do you think she may surrender when her rage subsides?"   He asks Darkhelm.
lostsole31
  "Perhaps,"   says Darkhelm,   "but you can't reason with a person in the throes of grief, and then blame them for not listening."  
Ostoril
  "No."   Moorgram pauses a moment.   "No you can't."   He steps a bit away from the pad.   "Unless we wish to slaughter her, this way is barred for now. Should we investigate another path or wait and see what happens?"  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea has been listening since the duo's return, but adds.   "We don't need to 'slaughter' her, but we can ask her to stand down and surrender. Failing that, she can be subdued. But we won't wait for her magics to recharge. I ask that you take me up, Moorgram. But I'm pretty sure that we've exhausted everywhere at this level and lower. Tactically, we need to continue upwards."  
Ostoril
  "You are right, but right now, she is in shock and grief. She won't surrender. Lets give her a moment to collect herself, and let us catch our own breath. Do you think around half the hour is too long?"   Moorgram looks down.   "Though, it likely will never truly be long enough."   He closes eyes and takes a deep breath picturing Gingey.   "I tried to ask for peace our first encounter, I did. She insisted we fight, her friends wouldn't leave. It isn't what I wanted."  
lostsole31
  "Give her a full hour,"   says Lady Argentea.
Ostoril
Moorgram nods and looks for a spot nearby to rest for the hour.
lostsole31
What do you do after that hour?
Ostoril
After resting Moorgram prepares to return Jairess. Standing before the pad he holds a hand out to Lady Argentea,   "Shall we?"   He asks.
lostsole31
One thing that wasn't really addressed with too much detail, is that you don't  just  get teleported. Once you and Lady Argentea step upon the pad (and the times before on all pads), ice covers over the both of you, as if in a block, yet without harm. It lasts a round, and then you disappear and suddenly reappear above, with the ice block immediately disappearing.

Jairess Sonn is not visible up here.
Ostoril
Arriving on the other side of the teleporter, Moorgram quickly scans the area for signs of Jairess, her birds, or which direction she may have ventured.   "Should I fetch Darkhelm? If there is an ambush, one of us will be left to defend themselves alone for a moment."   He asks. 
 Spoiler: OOC 

"Quickly" assess the room. Are birds till there, any obvious signs of which way Jairess went such as one of the doors being open or trail of blood?
 
lostsole31
  "Yes, bring her up here,"   says Lady Argentea.   "Just in case."  
Ostoril
Moorgram nods and steps back on the pad to fetch Darkhelm.
lostsole31
He fetches Darkhelm, and now all three of you are in the aerie.
Ostoril
  "Do either of you see which way she may have gone?"   Moorgram asks as he moves towards the eastern door searching for any sign of recent passage.
lostsole31
  "Hold on!"   says Lady Argentea.   "She has an appreciable head start, so let's not start on a snipe hunt. Let's check this room before we start opening doors to new places."  
Ostoril
  "Of course."   Moorgram looks at Lady Argentea,   "But is there an issue with beginning my search at one of the obvious possible exits? I am no detective, where would you prefer I begin my search?"  
lostsole31
Moorgram asked, and Lady Argentea provides ... with a pretty well-organized search pattern for a quick search.

The ceiling is 30' high in this room, which lies 60' above the ground. It only takes 4 minutes to fully search the aerie to find nothing of special.  With that, Lady Argentea is now fine with opening doors.

Moorgram does a check of the eastern door as he originally intended. Checking the door safe, he opens it. Dozens of stacked crates fill this angular storeroom. Several miniature dollhouses stand atop high shelves.
Ostoril
Moorgram stops and looks curiously at the dollhouses. His mouth twitches as he thinks back to his previous encounter with a murderous doll thing. He sniffs the air like a hound for good measure.   "I suppose we should make sure nothing is hiding behind these crates."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Child scent to confirm there's no children here.
 
lostsole31
It only takes a minute to look through this room ... there are faint remnants of various children's smells on the dollhouses, but nothing strong and current. Nothing else of interest or value in here.
Ostoril
Moorgram frowns.   "Whatever their purpose here, it would seem these once belonged to children. Fortunately,"   he says with a tone not quite certain of itself,   "it doesn't smell like there are any children here now. If we come across anything that might look like a child, it will most likely be an imposter. Or a memory."  

He makes his way back to the main room and the door opposite of the storeroom.   "Let's continue our search."  
lostsole31
The door is checked and cleared, then opened. Two bookshelves, a chest, and a comfortable-looking bed heaped with thick blankets furnish this bedroom. A mobile of ice crystals carved to resemble birds hangs from the ceiling, glinting in the light from frost-covered windows.
Ostoril
Moorgram performs a quick search of the room, stopping to search for any obvious traps on the chest before attempting to open it.
lostsole31
There is nothing of value in here. It appears to have been Jairess Sonn's bedroom, but nothing valuable left behind.
Ostoril
Moorgram returns to the main chamber and glances around.   "Where could she have been off to?"   He says aloud and cautiously examines the mirror, making sure to not touch it.
lostsole31
  "She was flying,"   offers Darkhelm.   "With her bird friends dead and she overpowered, she may have simply flown away."  
Ostoril
  "Then, do we have a way to proceed?"   He looks up at the windows and ceiling for a way that may open upwards.   "I do not fly."  
lostsole31
Darkhelm shrugs.

Lady Argentea says,   "There is definitely another level above, but I don't know how to access it. I am sure it relates to the teleporter ice pads that we've seen, but no idea how it works. And I know we haven't seen a master room ..... the castle is not the domain of the captured captain, so I don't know what to do from here."  
Ostoril
Moorgram rubs his face in frustration. He turns to the mirror and glowers at it.   "Are you magical or just here for her to preen herself like one of her birds? Why are you here and what's with this roped off area?"   he jabs a finger at the mirrors surface.
lostsole31
Mirror: ........

Lady Argentea says, after looking at that strange interchange of a man talking to a mirror,   "I am sure it is reachable by the teleporter pads, but we don't know the key or trigger to make it ... or haven't tried. We either killed or chased off those who might now, and so I am at a loss."  
Ostoril
Moorgram sighs in frustration.   "I don't suppose it would be as easy as just telling it where to take us, would it?"   He wanders over to the teleport pad.   "Shall we give it a few tries before heading back to camp and seeing if anyone there has any ideas?"  
lostsole31
  "Of course we can try that,"   says Lady Argentea.   "I didn't think of it because I'm still not used to a flying mount, but Windrunner can fly ... and there have been windows. My worry is that even if Windrunner can pass by the windows, is that he can't fly with such finesse to deposit us through the windows."  
Ostoril
  "Well, we need to head down anyways if thinking of a different destination does not work. So lets try it on our way back down."   Moorgram moves towards the teleport pad.   "Either of you care to join me for the first attempt?"  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea has Darkhelm go down with Moorgram.  They step on the pad, ice covers over them, and they return right back to the floor below.  Presumably, as the ice cover evaporates, they step off .... Moorgram gives a few seconds .... steps back on .... goes back up ... gets Lady Argentea .... and then takes her down.
Ostoril
Having returned his friends to the lower floor, Moorgram approaches the pad again.   "Before we fully head back to camp, let me try something."   He takes a moment to contemplate the teleport pad. He envisions the teleport pads back at the dining room on the other end of the floor.   "Dining room?"   he says with a bit of uncertainty as he steps back onto the pad.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Use Knowledge Arcana to try and understand how the pad might operate.
Use UMD to try and redirect the teleport pad to another location.
 
lostsole31
Nothing happens. Only Moorgram can do this, and from what the domovoi had said, each teleporter has a key ... usually something related to a verbalization. The only thing Moorgram is able to figure that allows him to use this teleporter pad is the ice key he carries.
Ostoril
With a heavy sigh, Moorgram suggests the group return to camp and consult the others as to any other potential ways up.
lostsole31
Down below ..... the only one that can fly (with Ten-Penny's loss) is Windrunner, though Windrunner admits being unable to do finesse flying like Ten-Penny could.
Ostoril
Moorgram frowns and rubs his face and talks to himself as he contemplates the risks involved.   "Would it be a good or bad thing to try and take Windrunner up to the higher levels? We defeated the raven flock... Or do they have something prepared?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Attempt to use Augury to determine if riding Windrunner up to a higher level would be an immediately good or bad decision?
 
lostsole31
Moorgram senses, in this specific query, that it brings good fortune.

Meanwhile, Lady Argentea says,   "At the very least, I can ride Windrunner out and around to get a sense of the window situation and if there are any balconies or the like."  
Ostoril
  "It would seem like our only real option. However we should be quick about it once we scout, or else they might reinforce any entry points."   He nods to Lady Argentea.   "If you could, find us a good place to enter the higher levels. Then we can storm the upper levels."  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea saddles and mounts Windrunner, and flies off.  She comes back about 10 minutes later to report.    "The shape is impossible to define, much like lower levels. There are many windows, but as with everywhere else, all of the windows are simply transparent glass, but likely thick.  Windrunner can't hover very well - definitely not at these windows, and there are no external connection points for rope."  
Ostoril
  "There must be some way to proceed."   Moorgram grumbles in frustration.

He turns to the group of soldiers and other captives.   "Do any of you know how these teleporters work? Or how to reach the higher levels?"   Not expecting a direct answer he watches for any signs that one of them might know.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Diplomacy and sense motive?
 
lostsole31
Captain Orlov says,   "Only Radosek Pavril - the lord of the castle - knows the key to the topmost level."  
Ostoril
  "Radosek?"   Moorgram turns to his companions.   "Wasn't that the name the guard spoke into this mirror?"   he says as he retrieves the small magical hand mirror.   "Think he would be kind enough to invite us up for a little chat?"  
lostsole31
Moorgram's friends shrug to let Moorgram do .... whatever it is he is going to do.
Ostoril
Moorgram examines the magic hand mirror, looking for some way to activate it.   "Radosek?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Use Magic Device to try and activate the hand mirror to talk to Radosek like the guard who we took it from did?
 
lostsole31
Moorgram opens the leather flap that protects the hand mirror and does the above, just looking at himself doing this.
Ostoril
Moorgram sighs and puts the mirror away.   "Let's go back and see if we missed anything. And if we didn't lets see how tough that glass is, we may just need to break in to the upper floors."   Moorgram begins to make his way back to the upper stories to continue searching the hallways from where he encountered the pad leading up to the aviary.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Head back to Q15 if nothing stops him along the way. I don't believe I ever actually confirmed where the hallway there lead to.
 
Ostoril
  "We never actually checked this way."   Moorgram says as he follows the hallway around.   "Let's be sure this really does wrap around."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 


Move E,E,SE,E and open the door if there is no obvious sounds coming through.
 
lostsole31
Heading this way, there are two doors. The first leads to a side room, and the second bars continued passage clockwise around the tower.
Ostoril
Moorgram motions to his companions towards the side room and readies himself to enter the room once they appear ready.
lostsole31
A bed, desk, dresser, and storage chest furnish this small bedroom. A large mirror hangs on the wall opposite the room’s only door, and two windows look down on the tower’s courtyard.
Ostoril
Moorgram begins to search the room.   "Let's see if there are any clues here as to how to reach the upper floors."  
lostsole31
It only takes a few minutes. The only thing of interest in here is an apparently locked chest under the bed. This appears to be the bedroom of the captain.
Ostoril
  "Either of you know how to pick this or see a key laying around?"   he asks looking at the chest.
lostsole31
Darkhelm produces a set of files and picks and tries to open the chest.

While Darkhelm does that, Lady Argentea asks,   "Didn't we get a couple keys off of Captain Orlov? And this is apparently her room."  

She looks through party treasure and finds the two different keys, and correctly surmises which one is for the chest and opens it. It contains:
(4) vials of fluid
a pair of silver bracers traced with figures of dragons
a jeweled scepter
an agate
(3) blue quartz crystals
Hundreds and hundreds of coins - gold, silver, and copper.
Ostoril
Moorgram looks over the various items with a frown.   "Gingey would have been able to help me know if any of these are useful."   He glances over to the keys Darkhelm holds,   "We should get this chest back to the group and find the one that other key goes to. Hopefully one of the chests will prove useful. But first, lets check that this hallway wraps around and doesn't lead anywhere else we have not checked."   He moves to the hallway to continue checking it.
lostsole31
Moorgram backs out and opens the door at the end of this portion of the curve, getting to a room where a long red carpet extends from the western doorway of this mirrored hall between a spot where once there were ice sculptures of twin nymphs, ending at an open alcove to the east. Passageways continue north and south, following the contours of the tower’s outer wall, where windows look out over the open courtyard below.
Ostoril
Moorgram moves to examine the alcove to the east, aware that perhaps it serves as a teleportation location like the other alcoves he has encountered.
lostsole31
What does "examine" entail?
Ostoril
Moorgram searches the alcove for any signs of a teleportation pad or any form of location markers. He also looks out the window for any area of the tower below that seems out of place from what he has explored and might indicate an overlooked section needing to be explored.
lostsole31
He's pretty sure that the deeper blue strip on the ground in the alcove is a teleporter pad.
Ostoril
  "It looks like we might have missed a teleporter last time we were here. Shall we see where this one leads?"   He says as he gets ready to activate the teleporter.   "Either of you care to join?"  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea readies herself and steps on the teleporter pad.
Ostoril
Moorgram nods to Darkhelm and then readies his axe before stepping on the pad himself.
lostsole31
Nothing happens......
Ostoril
Moorgram gives Lady Argentea a confused look and checks the teleport key before trying to activate the pad again.
lostsole31
Nothing happens ....
Ostoril
Moorgram puts away the key and grabs his axe.   "Fine, if there's no other way, I say we see how tough this glass is and break our way into the upper levels."  
lostsole31
Lady Argentea shakes her head.   "I have studied engineering ... and demolition of structures. Your sword is a poor tool and would bend and break; there are no stairwells to guide us upward; and, you would have to attack likely magically hardened load-bearing walls that even if you don't ruin your sword would have the upper floors falling atop us if you could penetrate. I don't know how to proceed, except to interrogate the captain."  
Ostoril
Moorgram grumbles,   "Fine, lets get what we can out of them, but I am not much of a people person."   He begins to make his way back towards their captives.
lostsole31
Once back downstairs, now what?
Ostoril
Moorgram turns to Lady Argentea, away from the captives ears.   "Orlov said that Radosek is the only one who know the key. That may well be true, but Orlov must know of a way to contact Radosek. I don't think we will make much progress threatening them, but I am not good with convincing others. Do you think you can convince them to divulge that information?"  
lostsole31
She talks with the captain and finds out that Radosek had given a key to the teleporter ... to Jairess Sonn. Unfortunately, you chased her away, and she fled in-between attempts on the aerie.
Ostoril
Moorgram groans.   "There must be some way to get to Jairess or to summon her to us. If she flew up there, there must be some entrance, a window that opens?"  
lostsole31
  "How?"   asks Darkhelm.   "What powers do we have of summoning her? And do we know that she even went above? She was badly wounded. She might have left entirely."  


Lady Argentea adds,   "We already saw the windows above, but that is too tricky for Windrunner to manage. By his own admission he is not that agile a flyer."  
lostsole31
This game is being shut down and the thread closed.

Make no more posts in this thread.
XierSR
  "I knew this was a bad idea..."   Amosis mutters to himself, drawing his sword as he steps forward and brings it down on the mummy's head.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
SA: Activates Archaeologist's Luck (+4 to attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls)
Drawing Silverflare as a part of moving
-Move: N,N,N,N,NW
Silverflare w/ Ruby Zenith Strike Furious Focus+RS:  (1d20+24)[ 25 ]  (Sense Motive check replacing attack roll) for [roll]2d6+23+1d6[/roll] fire (+ (1d10)[ 2 ]  on crits)
Ruby Zenith Strike does x3 damage if it hits.

IF: The mummy I'm attacking attacks with a melee or ranged weapon attack.

THEN: Mithral Flash (negate attack and attack back if in range)
Silverflare Furious Focus+RS:  (1d20+18)[ 32 ]  for [roll]2d6+23+1d6[/roll] fire (+ (1d10)[ 3 ]  on crits)
Mithral Flash deals + (5d6)[ 22 ]  damage on hit

Remember flaming burst on crits.
 
XierSR
 
 Spoiler:  Uh-oh Mechanics 
Fumble Check again:  (1d20)[ 20 ] 
 