Dex save: 4

Rose lifts her staff and casts off a Ray of Frost directed at Radosek!

Attack: 13 Damage: 7

DC15 DEX save for half of 15 snowball damage: 19

Hellish rebuke! DC13 DEX save for half of 19 fire damage.

Eldritch Blizzast at RadicalSex! "Special delivery!"
Attack: 22 Damage: 6

Radosek(20)(40),Zaf(17),Rose(14),Nadya(14),Jirel(8),Seraphina(8)Jasun(4)

Seraphina misses. Rose misses. Jasun hits.

Dex:16

Radosek(20)(25),Zaf(17),Rose(14),Nadya(14),Jirel(8),Jasun(4)

Dex ST(DC 15): 7 (assuming it blankets more than the spell's actual radius covers normally)

Reaction: Cast Absorb Elements.

Zaf's body just seems to absorb some of the chill, though his wings still looked fairly frosted over. All the same, he breaks out the star map, firing another cosmic bolt with hopefully truer aim this time.

Action: Cast from Star Map (1st level) Star Bolt - Attack: 8 Damage: 9 of radiant at Radosek.

Radosek(20)(25),Zaf(17),Rose(14),Nadya(14),Jirel(8),Jasun(4)

A hit! Next attack has advantage!

Radosek(20)(16),Zaf(17),Rose(14),Nadya(14),Jirel(8),Jasun(4)

Jirel will charge Radosek, following Zaf's radiant bolt.

Axe 1: 15 Damage: 5
Axe 2: 19 Damage: 9

Radosek(20)(16),Zaf(17),Rose(14),Nadya(14),Jirel(8),Jasun(4)

Nadya will attempt to finish off Radosek

Attack: 14 Damage: 9

Attack: 25 Damage: 12

Nadya's shortsword plunges into the chest of an already heavily wounded Radosek. He falls to the floor, bleeding profusely. "Nazhena...my love...avenge me." He sputters out before finally dying. "We weel be the ones doing the avengeeing."

With Radosek defeated, you can easily close the portal that links the Border Wood to Irrisen, stopping the spread of winter there, although if you now wish to return there for some reason, you must now take the long way there. Even with the portal closed, you still know that this is only a moderate inconvenience and that Golarion will not be truly safe, nor will your geas be completed until Elvanna has been defeated and Baba Yaga restored. And on a more personal note, Nazhena Vasiliovna still lives and she will likely find out in short time that you broke into her tower, murdered her lover, and shut down the portal.

But you have won a small victory and as a reward for completing Book One, you level up to 4.

The adventure will continue in Book Two: The Shackled Hut

As the sound of silence would fall over the group, Jirel will approach Seraphina. “Rose had presented me with this gift, though she did have you in mind for it as well.” The barbarian will draw the powerful steel weapon (great sword +1), presenting the well crafted blade to their Ice Queen. “I believe this blade begs to be wielded and actually used in the battles ahead.” She’d insist. May Rose’s pure spirit guide her hand and blade to keep our foes at bay. 

Sera takes the sword, turning it in her hands with a slow nod. "Thank you," she says after a moment. "I'll do my best to use it to bring our enemies down." The blade goes sheathed beside her glaive, and she returns to bandaging her palm wound.

Long ago, Baba Yaga wanted to travel to different worlds and the spaces between. When she stepped out of her hut in the woods, she saw the chickens scratching for grain in the yard, and had an idea. With ancient rituals and powerful magic, her abode awoke! This terrible hut that stands on chicken legs—always dancing, hopping, twirling, and prancing—is how she travels between worlds. When it rests, which it seldom does, a fence with a glowing skull atop each post springs up, and the forest closes in to shield it from prying eyes.

Book Two: The Shackled Hut

Nadya speaks up. "Eef Nazhena ees not here, then she must be een Whitethrone. We weel not be able to just walk eento the ceety and keel Nazhena. Fortunately, my uncle Ringeirr leeves outside the ceety and ees a master smuggler. Eet would be about ten days travel to get there, but I hef no doubt that he could get us een."

Jasun peered over Sera's shoulder. "My word, that IS an impressive blade." he nodded sagely.

"I would be delighted to continue this journey with you, Nadya. I'm sure my companions would agree." Jasun said to her. "Perhaps we can discuss more of this city and your uncle by a warm fire and a hot meal, perhaps?" he suggested. "Your accent is lovely, I would enjoy any conversation with you, if I do say so."

If Nadya would accept, he would help her with the meal, be as polite as possible, and make every attempt to give her a sense of security in the times to come. He knew that since he was with a group, it would be rude to eat with her alone, but after the meal he would make an attempt to talk with her alone, if possible. The interest he would display about her and her people would be genuine.

That night before bed, the Elder God T'Vauz decided to give Jasun a bit more power. He meditated in a quiet corner where his mind separated from his body so he could have a lesson with Jezzika. Jezzika, always excited to see him, took him through a tour of the cosmos. Rumor had it that Umbra lived in the core of a star, but T'Vauz resided in the crushing pressures of a black hole. Both places were completely unsafe and mind boggling environments, but as Herald, Jezzika kept him safe as she taught him new spells that came from the powers of beings incomprehensible. When the lesson was over, Jasun, still blow away with wonder, felt Jezzika hug him, wanting him, perhaps..needing him. He wanted to return the hug and to enjoy what she was so blatantly offering, mentally and physically. Most importantly, the answers to the questions he was seeking so desperately, but he knew the price would be too high. As T'Vauz found amusement in the relationship, Jasun yet again resisted, and Jezzika was confused and sad.

"Why do you resist what I want to give you." she asked him.
Jasun sighed. "The price is too high, my dear."
"I ever do so want you completely. Let me have you. It will be pleasurable beyond anything you could understand." she begged.
"No, my sweet." Jasun replied, with effort. "I am but a student. A learner. What you want to give me is not appropriate. I wish you would see it my way."
"I am so overcome with feelings for you." she admitted. "All I want is to be one with you. I can give you everything you desire."
"I know you can." he said. "That is why I must refrain from giving in to these emotions you are trying to make me feel."
"Do you not feel them as well?" she pleaded. "Am I not beautiful enough? Compassionate enough?"
"You are all of those things..and so much more." he said, swallowing hard. "But Umbra has changed you and the Elder Gods work in devious ways. I simply seek knowledge."
"I can give you anything you want, but all it requires is you to give everything to me." Jezzika said, pulling away a little.
"And this is why I must say no." Jasun said, letting her go.
She stood there in space with him for a few moment, glaring at him, frustrated she didn't get what she wanted. Her frustration turned to sadness, and she turned away.

Jasun awoke, back to the cold of the land they were in. He sighed and rolled his eyes wearily, sad he had to let Jezzika down, and at the same time a bit nervous about when the day would come and she would not take no for an answer. Defying a god was a dangerous tread. He got up and tried to focus on something that WAS in the realm of possibility, and approached Nadya wherever she was and told her how beautiful she was, straight up, and honest. If possible, and if the moment was right, he'd lean in for a kiss.

And somewhere, cosmically far away, in a fit of jealousy and frustration, a star that bathed a planetary system with the warmth of life went supernova.

It's afternoon when you make your way back to Nadya's house from the tower. "Orm, Mjoli, pack your theengs before you go to sleep. We are leaveeng tomorrow." She says to her sons, not giving them an explanation that they are not able to understand at this time. She once again accepts Jasun's assistance in preparing dinner. "Thank you for your help. Eet takes a weight off my shoulders, haveeng someone else to help out around the house." She genuinely smiles when you compliment her appearance and personality and when you lean in to give her a kiss, she leans into it as well. It lingers for a bit and you get the impression that it's been a while since the last time she's had a kiss.

Aww yehhhh.

Although their job was far from over, at least now they had a moment to breathe and recollect themselves before going back into it, which was most welcome for the firbolg. She gives a tired smile to Jirel offering the sword to Sera, hoping silently that she would be able to make good use of it. After having expended most of her resources, though feeling a bit stronger afterwards, she still found that it took more out of her than she expected it to. She pushes through sleepiness as they made their way back to Nadya's home, once again thanking the woman for housing and feeding the lot of them.

Seeing as Jasun was lending her a helping hand (among other things) once again, she took the opportunity to wave Jirel over had she not been busy. "Would you like to learn how to braid now while we wait for dinner?" She then looks to Sera and Zaf had they been about. "... W-would you guys like to learn too?"

Falling in place behind the group, Jirel will watch over everyone as they made their trek back to Nadya's. She'd remain silent and stand off to the side while everyone entered the door to their hostess' home to settle in for the afternoon. That's when the barbarian would break away without a word. She'd wander a safe distance away into the nearest thicket of woods. It's much too early to retire for the day… I've slacked for far too long… The goliath would stumble across a small clearing in a circle of trees. It felt like a good place to start.

The barbarian would return to Nadya's with a gentle knock before she'd let herself into the home. She'd arrive suspiciously in time to catch Rose waving her over. Jirel couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth sneak its way into her chest at the firbolgs invitation. She remembered… Unable to bring herself to speak just yet, she'll nod to Rose. The goliath will try to move as smoothly as her exhausted body would allow her, and take a seat wherever their cleric would direct her.

And while Rose would work on her hair, Jirel will fidget with the furs on her lap, keeping her gaze down and her ears open to hearing her voice. Though, should there be a period of silence, she'd catch her mind wondering once again. To refrain from reliving moments over again, she'd finally speak, whispering to Rose. "Rose… may I hear your story one day…" Jirel found herself wondering about such a sweet soul.

Zaf accepted Nadya's assertation without much abalm. The fact of the matter was, ever since the full weight of the groups situation sunk in with the closing of the portal, Zaf had felt, and for the first time visibly seemed truly ill at ease. If not while wandering Nedya's home lost in thought, than simply by happenstance postioning did Rose's offer reach his hearing.. Eventually. For there was a solid few moments of his having turned and stared blankly at the firbolg, and then blinking and giving his customary eye smile.

"I wish acquiesce, but... I think I will turn in early tonight. Today has been rather strenuous. Another time, perhaps?" Zaf gives one last apologetic bow, before then finding whatever corner and/or room the group had been allotted for rest. Of dinner, the bird man failed to awaken to of his own accord, and even if so, he politely refused it, wanting and reinterating as necessary a deep seated need to sleep.

Dream Time:

 
Zaf awakens the next day clutching onto his prayer beads for dear life, and muttering the words, "I am Zaf... I am Zaf..." Over and over again until shaken from his stupor eventually by the others, one or another. But when this happens, a moment of silence passes prior to his finally greeting the others with a customary smiling eyes and a pleasantly spoken "Good Morning~." As if nothing had happened or changed at all.

After a few moments that seem much, much larger than they really are, Nadya breaks from the kiss with a little reluctance to go see how her sons are doing in getting ready for the trip tomorrow. She begins packing up her things, as well as making sure that there's enough rations to keep everyone from starving during the trip. "I hef a friend een the veellage of Ellsprin. Eet ees a week away from here and on the way to Whitethrone. I weel leave Orm and Mjoli there so that they weel not be een danger when we enter the ceety." You all sleep for the night and at dawn, you eat a quick breakfast and get on the road. Nadya hovers over her sons, making sure that their gloves and other cold weather gear are put on properly and generally making sure that they don't go too far ahead or behind the group. 

As you travel through the snowy wilderness of Irrisen, you see the occasional animal running by, but nothing attacks you and generally there aren't too many of them. "Eet ees deefeecult, hunteeng animals.  Een the snow, they do not travel far from their homes, and eet ees quite dangerous to hunt them on their territory." You do notice that there are plenty of birds flying around, however. Make a DC15 Perception check.

Sera runs her hands through her short-cropped hair, barely brushing her ears or the back of her neck. "Well, I won't be able to use it on myself much, but I'd be interested in learning it, I suppose."

During the journey, Sera is fairly quiet and withdrawn, focused on her own memories.

Perception: 19

DC15 Jasunception: 17

Because he had not much else to do in the god forsaken cold while they traveled, Jasun kept an eye on the group and Nadya's children during the journey. He knew not what laid ahead, and at times he was sure Jezzika was upset with him - mostly because he could still remember the memory of Nadya's lips pressed against his. He smiled inwardly, wanting to be close to her again.

Frankly, the thought of retribution from a Herald made him nervous, but that was a chance he would have to take.

Zaf's refusal didn't bother the firbolg, she merely giving the aarakocra a smile and an understanding nod while watching him off to their little sleeping area. She smile, though, does brighten when Sera accepts her offer and joins beside them as she works through Jirel's hair. While it was true getting short hair like Sera's braided, it certainly wasn't impossible. Rose's fingers worked methodically, having practiced on her own hair for years and years, she happily explaining the process to the two. Deep down, she felt warm and fuzzy inside, glad to finally be able to work on other's hair for once. While the nuns in the temple had taken decent care of her, very rarely would they allow her to break away from her studies to braid their hair. You were brought here for greatness, they would tell her, you don't have time for something like that.

The thought causes her smile to drop slightly, but she does her best to push through it and mentions; "Flowers would look lovely laced between the knots... Maybe when this is all over and spring finally comes, I can teach you both how to make flower crowns."

Her look softens when the barbarian questions her story, the letter in her pouch beginning to phantasmically burn through the leather. "It's not interesting, really..." She feels absolutely terrible for having diverted from her original task, the one where she could finally return home. Why did she agree to come here again? "I was just very... sheltered..." Perhaps this was what the priests were talking about. Maybe, unbeknownst to her, she was following the path Ioun had prophesied. The pressure she had fought so hard to keep back now loomed over her, slowly weighing itself down on her shoulders. It was all too familiar, but each time she remembers that crushing weight, the expectation of greatness from those who raised her, who would be watching her perform, fear settles in her core. The fear of being unable to defeat this great evil. The fear of millions of lives lost because she was too weak. The fear of being a complete and utter failure.

Years of study should have prepared her for this, years of training, years of being and feeling alone should have prepared her for whatever it was her goddess had written in stone. And yet she cannot help but feel her heart tighten at the thought of the procephy, her lungs would feel as if they had been squeezed out of whatever air they had in them when they drilled it into her mind as a young child, she cannot stop this weight until finally it crashes upon her like a boulder. You are the rose who will break through the ice. You are the child. You must defeat this evil. You must save us all. Our lives fall in your hands, Rose. Remember that.

Rose stops her braiding for a moment to recollect herself. She sucks in a much needed breath and forces a smile. "I-I'm sorry. Maybe... Maybe another day. I promise."

Rose would be the one to shake Zaf from his stupor with a worried look worn across her face, wondering why he was instilling the fact that he was who he was in mantra, although he seemed to have been none the wiser of the act itself. Had they had the time she would have asked, but perhaps when they had another set of downtime she could go ahead and inquire further on it. For now, she would keep it to herself, and as they made way, she would keep her eyes out.

Perception: 17