OOC: I've added one of the shortswords to my inventory to make up for the one Ini took and added the rest of the chest's contents to Fode's saddlebags. ("Chest with five sets of leather armor, three sets of studded leather armor, four shortswords, one light crossbow, and one case of 19 bolts") If any of you want any of it, just let me know to subtract it from my inventory.

"I was trained to be a pikeman in the Phalanx," Bart says, referring to the Taldan Phalanx. He gives a little shrug. "I guess I'm not very good with a sword." Almost as if just thinking about it, he continues excitedly, "But I've been training with Fode. I want to be a calvary," he says, the word getting mixed up in his mouth.

Perception at disadvantage: 3

Perception with Disadvantage: 5

Alva nods approvingly to both Bart and Initish. "A trained soldier who vishes to join 'de cavalry, and a... scholar vif untapped magical potential?" The woman seems a tad perplexed on how exactly to classify the tiefling in this situation, and her eyes trail to her. "Vell, since you've come vif us to go somevhere specific, vhere exactly is 'dat, if you don't mind me asking? Unless, of course, you're more just going somevhere just to see someding new."

As the snowfall begins to intensify, the phenomena seems to both calm Alva's nerves, as well as agitate them. Her eyes dart left to right along the trail, and she is looking over her shoulder every few seconds, as if paranoid that something is about to jump out at her. On the other hand, despite her hulking figure for a woman, she moves with ease through the snow, as if she's used to trudging through heavy snowfall and seen much worse. "I'm a voodsmen by trade, and 'de snow and forests are my home. Or, vell, vas my home. I ran avay from my home as a girl to get avay from 'dese vhite vitches. But since 'dey're threatening folk far avay from my home, I don't 'dink it's right for me to run anymore."

"I also have a knack for bonding 'vif animals, but I haven't had much a chance to follow up on 'dat since I left my home. Vhich vas vhy I vas so excited to meet Fode. He's a strong mount, and a loyal companion. I can sense it in him."

((Just going to roll for Ini and Cora to move things along))

Cora: 25
Ini: 5

The snow becomes increasingly deep in this part of the forest, where a windswept gully carves a path through a tree-covered ridge. A soft cascade of snow falls from an overhead branch, hissing softly as it strikes the ground.

Ini, you notice something almost slithering in the snow ahead of your group. It's very difficult to make out, but something is definitely heading toward the party, moving through the snow. You have about 6 seconds before it is upon you. Go ahead and roll initiative, everybody.

???: 6

Alva's Initiative: 2

Quote from lumberzachs_dice >>

Alva nods approvingly to both Bart and Initish. "A trained soldier who vishes to join 'de cavalry, and a... scholar vif untapped magical potential?" The woman seems a tad perplexed on how exactly to classify the tiefling in this situation, and her eyes trail to her. "Vell, since you've come vif us to go somevhere specific, vhere exactly is 'dat, if you don't mind me asking? Unless, of course, you're more just going somevhere just to see someding new."

Before the snowfall becomes stronger, Ini tries to answer Alva's question, although she's not too specific on the details. "I don't know where is this somewhere I'm going to... I just couldn't stay in Heldren... Too close to my home." Whether there are any more questions or not, Ini wouldn't answer, especially once the snowfall started intensifying.

 As she starts having to walk through deep snow, it's clear the small frame of the tiefling was not made for this. It takes quite a struggle for her to keep up, but she does try to focus on her vision - always being the paranoid one. Upon spotting something, Ini yells out so the others aren't surprised when it's here, "There!", with her finger pointing in the direction of what she spotted.

Initiative: 14

Bart doesn't like when Ini talks about leaving Heldren. As he stares at the ground, his facial expression shifts from sadness to frustration to hopelessness, and his jaw works silently behind his closed lips as if he's chewing on something. But once the tiefling exclaims over the potential danger, the human snaps to attention.

Initiative: 5

Cora lines up with the rest of the party, hand on her holy symbol.

((Huh... i think my post got eaten again.))

((Did you want to roll initiative again?))

Cora Initiative: 11

Tatzlwyrm(17),Cora(11),Ini(9),Bart(5),Alva(2)

Almost as soon as she points it out, the creature leaps from the snow, revealing itself to be a long, white, snake-like creature with a wide jaw, boasting many sharp teeth, and little arms with equally sharp claws. It's an arctic tatzlwyrm, and it pounces on Ini!

Tatzlwyrm bite: 16 Damage: 4, plus Ini is grappled if it hits.
Tatzlwyrm rake, only if Ini is grappled: 9 Damage: 3

Tatzlwyrm(17),Cora(11),Ini(9),Bart(5),Alva(2)

Everyone, post what you do with your turn!

The bite lands on her, and Ini is struck with a jolt of pain, just the same time as the creature latches on to her. By struggling and shaking a little, she's able to avoid the creature's claws, but the tiefling is just panicking right now. She stays quiet, eyes wide, breathing quickly, looking back and forth at the group to see if they can help.

For her turn, she'll just try to escape its grip, having no option but slipping out someway while pushing the Tatzlwyrm away from herself. "Leave! ... Me! ... Alone!"

Acrobatics Check: 7

"Ini!" Bart yells, clearly panicked. He jumps onto Fode's back to give himself a height advantage. (DM, I looked up tatzlwyrm, and what I read says it's a medium creature. If this isn't true, let me know.) Urging the horse forward, Bart grabs his new sword and jabs at the small dragon.

Attack: 13 Damage: 8

Cora flicks up a hand and tolls the bells on the creature.

Action: Cast Toll the Dead
DC 13 Wisdom Save or it takes 5 if uninjured, 1 if injured

Alva will crash the head of her axe on her shield, hoping to create a loud noise to distract the creature. "Pick on someone 'yer own size!" Hoping to draw its ire, she then charges forward, chopping with a heavy downward motion attempting to disable the tatzlwyrm.

Attack: 21 Damage: 6

Tatzlwyrm(17),Cora(11),Ini(9),Bart(5),Alva(2)

Cora tolls the dead! WIS save: 9 As it was uninjured, it takes the full 7 damage!

Ini tries to wrestle herself out of the creature's grasp! Athletics: 15 The creature holds on tight however!

Bart's attack is just able to hit! And Alva strikes true!

Tatzlwyrm(17;21),Cora(11),Ini(9),Bart(5),Alva(2)

The creature lets go of Ini! It attempts to flee, into the snow, provoking attacks of opportunity from Bart, Alva, and Ini.

Tatzlwyrm(17;21),Cora(11),Ini(9),Bart(5),Alva(2)

Everybody, you're up, after the AOOs!

Having not been holding the shortsword she received from Bart, Ini has no time or reach to counter-attack when the creature tries to escape.

As she's recovering from the sudden rush of being attacked so unexpectedly, Ini looks down at her hand, and she's able to see more of that dark smoke coming out. A bit confused, she's suddenly taken by surprise as the smoke lights on fire.

(If the creature is still alive by her turn:)

(If it's dead:)

Alva will take a swing at the creature as her Opportunity Attack, hoping to fell it. Normally she'd be averse to hunting down wildlife, but at this point she's more worried about the winter creature becoming an invasive species in the Border Wood.

Attack: 7 Damage: 3

As the beast flees, Alva won't take off in pursuit. Rather, she'll stow her battleaxe and draw out a handaxe, preparing to throw it at the beast on her next turn if it's still around. (Drawing handaxe using [Tooltip Not Found]).

The viking woman will steal a glance as Initish as the smoke forms from her hand, and possibly even the bolt of fire. She doesn't say anything just yet, however.

As the creature turns to run, Bart quickly dismounts to see to Ini. However, when she once again displays magic, he halts, watching her. He is not afraid of her by any means, but knows enough to not get in her way. Once everything calms down, still clutching his sword, Bart asks tentatively, "Are you OK, Ini?"

((Just waiting on Bacon to finish out this round))