Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

In reply to Yoë 's comment, Aurelius asks, "Do you know anything of this tower?  Are there any other destinations along this road that Leilatha may be headed to instead?"

Yoë shrugs, "As I said, nobody ever really travels any further north than where Leilatha lives.  Some say the ice spirits live in the highest reaches of the mountains, so maybe that's what's up here? I don't know though." 

Elyria knows without specialized cold weather gear you probably would be at risk from the extreme cold temperatures.  Staying over night even here might be rough, unless you could find a much better shelter.  

"I'm not sure we could handle a night outdoors in this weather, I'll send Aelric to try and find some sort of shelter for us." Elyria says, sending Aelric to locate a cave or something for them to rest in. 
Aelric Percepetion: 22 

Aelric scouts the area around you and ahead.  Perhaps a mile or so further he spots a cave which should give you good shelter from the wind and snow. At your current rate it may take you an hour to travel that far.  

"Aelric has spotted a cave perhaps a mile away. I suggest we go there to seek shelter for the night." Elyria suggests to the others.

Aurelius nods in assent as his teeth begin to chatter from the cold.  "S-s-sounds good. Let's g-g-g-go."

Flynt motions Elyria to lead on as he too begins to shiv reform the cold.

Elyria nods and tightens the cloak around her, nimbly skipping over the snow, leading the way to the cave Aelric spotted.
Perception: 21 Aelric perception: 17

It takes you well over an hour to make it to the cave.  The snow and wind worsen and the temperature keeps dropping.  The entrance is not huge, but after a short narrow passage it opens up a bit into a chamber large enough to quite easily fit all of you.  It does not show any signs of being occupied. 

(Each person must make a CON Save DC 10 or gain 1 level of exhaustion from the extreme cold. Yoë 7)  

Elyria efficiently sets up camp inside the cave and offers to take first watch, eating some rations while keeping a good look out at the cave entrance while doing her best to protect herself from the cold.

Perception: 26 Aelric perception: 18
Con Save: 14

"St-st-stay close to me," Aurelius chatters.  "My aura will pr-pr-protect you." He then will try to make a fire and see if the smoke has a way to escape or if it starts to fill the cave.  If the smoke is not exiting, he will move the fire close to the opening.  "It may give away our location, but it's better than fr-fr-freezing to death."

(Everyone within 10 ft gets +4 to all saves)

CON Save 13

As Aurelius tries to start a fire it simply does not seem to even light.  Any moment it seems ready to catch it simply goes completely cold. 

Yoë seems to be shivering quite a bit as she gets inside the cave. The aura Aurlius provides seems to help though. "Thanks Aurelius."  She huddles herself up tightly, trying to keep warm. 

(Can Elyria determine if this is an unnatural cold?)

Quote from Oberon99 >>

(Can Elyria determine if this is an unnatural cold?)

 I think you possibly could, but how do you try to determine it? (Skills or magically somehow?)  

(No such magic available I think. Survival? 20 )

From your knowledge, Elyria would think that such cold temperatures could certainly be possible in the mountains like this. However, although there is quite the snowstorm outside the cave, it seems extremely odd for the temperature to have dropped so steeply. Something does seem off about the area. As you watch Aurelius trying to light the fire, the way that it fails to catch fire also seems quite unnatural. 

"This cold, it seems unnatural, it is like it is a ward surrounding that tower. Maybe the tower is the real home of the hag Leilatha." Elyria says as they are preparing to rest in the cave. "If the tower is her destination she will likely have an advantage in any fight inside it. Shouldn't we still try to ambush Leilatha on the road Flynt?" She suggests after a while.

Aurelius says, "At this point, mes amis, it is moot.  We cannot survive here without fire.  We shall have to descend."

(Can Elyria determine if they would survive the night without a fire and/or if if they could make it back to warmer territory before they freeze to death.)

Flynt agrees with Arelious. "Whatever we do we can't stay here much longer. I too think we're going to have to descend." 

Con: 18