DM - ARC |
The ground before you is frozen and covered in a light dusting of snow, not enough to leave visible footprints but enough to crunch beneath every boot step. Behind you, where the Mouring Maiden used to be, a wide twisting span of frozen river cuts off stable directly south. The river's water is so cold you can already see the broken ice and slush hardening and covering over the exposed water. A little over an hours walk North can be seen several faint spots of light or you could follow the river east or west... Or try crossing the waters and heading south.
Kestra |
Agreed, trying to cross a half-frozen river in the dead of winter is ill advised, as is wandering in the biting cold. Kestra grumbles out, absentmindedly huddling into her clothes against the cold.
Buying a cold weather outfit and 5 potions of Endure Elements
Raznarr the Last |
okay, never mind then, he'll hold on to it until he can afford to upgrade it.
Raznarr steps out into the snow, and for the first time since you've seen him, he removes his helmet. His eyes are a cold gray, and his long partially braided beard are likewise. Steam floats off his bald head. He falls to his knees and scoops a bit of snow up in his gauntlet. He holds the fluff to his streaming head, and breathes a deep sigh of relief.
Replacing his helmet, he stands and says, "Lights to the north it is."
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Anator Kintash |
Anator scanst the bleak outlook with a worried, or pained expression. Difficult to tell with poor light, and a beard hiding half his face.
"Well, let's do this. The undead don't feel the cold like we do. Surprised they don't flock here... Apart from those we are hunting now."
The warrior turns to their guide.
"Alain - do we have any idea of the nature of the...interruption... to my Lady Pharasma's good works we are here.... investigating?"
Kestra |
Kestra will chuckle at Camas's observation, her breath freezing as it passes her teeth.
I was not born in this cold, I don't understand how one can prefer it... she sighs, huddling up into her outfit even more against the biting cold.
DM - ARC |
Allowing the native Raznar to lead the way you find yourselves walking towards a small encampment. There is a small collection of low buildings build of a mix of hardened mud, rock and wood, all surrounded by a picket of sharpened stakes. There are a trio of watch towers surrounding the buildings but inside the perimeter. The small lights that attracted you attention seem to be coming from braziers dotting the area and the odd bit of light through a partially open window. As you approach, less than a hundred yards from the pickets someone calls out to you. "Sem fer þangað? nefna þig eða bragð minn stál?"
Anator Kintash |
Anator takes stock of the obviously defensive stockade. "Ehrmm...not I. That Ulfen Raz, or something more... Northern? Whatever they said, I'd wager they're very armed, and very...cautious."
Raznarr the Last |
"It is close to my homeland, yes, but I had been away from home quite a vhile before I died. Lead I vill, though."
Raznarr steps up, hearing his native tongue and says, "Logn, vinur. Við erum ferðamenn í leit að óeðlilegt hluti sem kvöl þennan stað."
Calm, friend. We're travellers in search of the unnatural things which torment this place.
Raznarr the Last |
Raznarr apologizes and briefly translates under his breath. He also assures them, he'll continue to do this in the future. just assume he translates for you when he can
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DM - ARC |
"Bah, fleiri ævintýramenn. Þú ert góður munt ekki finna velkomnir hér en við munum ekki snúa þér í burtu til að frysta til dauða. Þú getur haft skjól fyrir nóttina ef þú samþykkir að fara vopn utan."
You can hear a bit of rustling atop one of the lookout towers and more behind the barricade.
"Bah, more adventurers. You're kind will not find welcome here but we won't turn you away to freeze to death. You can have shelter for the night if you agree to leave your weapons outside."
Raznarr the Last |
"Það er mest góður, góður herra. Afsakið hegðun mína, er ég þekktur sem Raznarr Síðustu, og þetta eru vinir mínir." Raznarr introduces each of the party in kind before continuing, "Vinsamlegast skilið, við erum þjónar guðanna; við leitum hvorki frægð né auðæfi. Við munum gjarna taka skilmálar fyrir skjól. Einnig langar mig að heyra af öllum undarlegum ferðum á á svæðinu á leiðinni, ef þú dont 'hugur."
Raznarr explains what was said and says to his friends, "I'm sorry for agreeing to no veapons, but if need be I vill vait outside for protection."
Please understand, we're servants of the gods; we seek neither fame nor riches. We will gladly accept your terms for shelter. Also, I would like to hear of any strange goings on in the area on the way, if you don't mind.
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Kestra |
Kestra shifts uncomfortably at hearing she has to leave her bow outside.
Is there perhaps someone who will hold on to my bow and arrows for me? someone who will keep them out of the cold? I don't relish the thought of leaving them exposed to the elements...
Raznarr the Last |
Raznarr passes along Kestra's question in skald.
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DM - ARC |
Two gruff looking Ulfen reveal themselves and take possession of your relinquished weapons before they store them away inside a storage shed and tie the door shut against the wind (Should you choose/need them, you can force the wooden door easily, cut the ropes or use disable device). While the two men are taking your weapons a young woman comes up to you and offers you a chance to stay out of the cold with her. She takes you to a larger hut and leads you inside. The hut is sparsely decorated in the main room, little more than a trio of benches, a wide hearth with a roaring flame, a cozy kitchen tucked into the far side and a steep set of stairs leading to a second level below. The air in here is somewhat heavy with smoke but comfortably heated. "Warm yourselves by the fire while I get you al some broth to drink." As she points to several pegs at the door where she leaves her own coat before shucking off her fur boots and slipping into satin slippers. She then busies herself in the kitchen area nursing a cooking flame back to life under a cast iron cauldron.
By the time you've made yourselves comfortable the ulfen woman is coming around with wooden mugs full of warm broth. "Please don't bear the others any ill will. They all believe the troubles we've had lately have been caused by adventurers like you. Not that they're wrong mind you but I've a more open mind, after-all I married one. Haymitch was quite the adventurer, hunting monsters and raiding ruins, before he settled down with me of course. Now he protects this farmstead and its fields from wolves and bandits more than anything else" she pauses to see if anyone wants more before continuing her idle chatter. "'Course that was afore all the troubles lately. Strangest things. A couple o' weeks back another group of adventures, more troublemakers than anything else, show up in town gloating about a long lost treasure and start buyin up everything with these square white coins. Haymitch said they were platinum and the money lenders and merchants were eager to take 'em. Next thing we know, farmers and such are seeing strange men wandering through their fields late at night, sniffing the air like dogs and scaring the bejesus outta everyone. Everyone says those adventurers woke up something unwholesome and now us regular folk are paying for it but I dunno how much is true."
Anator Kintash |
Anator is just as reluctant as the others to give up his prized slicers, but agrees.
in the larger hut...
"My thanks fair one. And you are?"
After introductions
Anator listens to the tale of woe.
"Any chance you think those who took the square, white coins have been particularly targeted, or have seen the apparitions? Although it seems likely the merchants and moneylenders took them first..."
Anator thinks for a while, ruminating.
"Perhaps these adventuring types HAVE unearthed curs'd treasure, and woke something...that should still be resting. Where did they go? Or come from for that matter?"
DM - ARC |
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"Oh I don't have any of them. If you wanted to see the coins and talk to someone about it you'd be better to head into town in the morning and talk to the merchants, probably old Garm first since he runs the local smithy and more than likely tended to their gear while they were in town. That or one of the ale halls."
A short while into the conversation you all hear the door open and as you turn you hear deep growling from a pair of throats. Stepping into the hut is a man in dark furs carrying a long bow and followed by two angry and threatening wolf hounds. The man pauses for a moment before patting the wolf hounds on their heads, which causes the growling to die off, and resting his bow on a stand near the door. "Nel, I see we have company. No wonder the lads were so put off."
"Well, I couldn't let them just sit in the barn and freeze could I? Besides these folks claim to be here on account of the trouble of late."
"Nel. You're going to get yourself in trouble one of these days."
"With who? Cobb? The twins? You know that they're all talk and beside my father always keeps an eye on me when you're out ranging.
"Fine, I give, I give. You'll just do what you want anyways so there's no point in arguing" Haymitch then turns to all of you as he sheds his many outer layers, "So you lot think you can pick up the pieces and fix whatever those other dolts messed up? Well good luck. I've been tracking on these lands for over a decade and I can tell you what I can. Who knows, maybe you'll figure this mess out and fix it."
Ealianne |
"Tracker, eh? We understand that men have been seen wandering the fields at night," Ealianne glances at Nel, then continues, "sniffing the air like dogs. Have you seen their tracks? Could you lead us to their origin?"
Looking at her fellow Lantern Bearers, "We should definitely follow up on the coins first. Might very well, help us know what we're dealing with... more gnolls perhaps... or worse yet, lycanthropy?"
Kestra |
I agree, though I do not think lycanthropy is of specific interest to The Lady of Graves. We should definitely follow up on the coins first thing in the morning. Kestra will say, taking a moment to noisily slurp her broth before continuing, do you know where exactly these adventurers collected these coins?
Raznarr the Last |
Raznarr quietly listens as he drinks his broth. When finished, he thanks Nel and Haymitch for their hospitality.
DM - ARC |
(This is a very small and remote community so your exploits aren't likely to be common knowledge here but in the larger town she talking about someone may have heard of you Raznarr)
"I don't know what they are but they're not lycanthropes. The tracks are wrong, too light and small. More humanoid and then there the salty smell. I swear their tracks smell like the sea or salt water and every time in investigate a sighting they alway start and stop near water, even frozen ponds and such.". He pauses as he searches for something then pulls out a rough drawn map of the area forty kilometres around the farmstead. Laying it out and pointing to several spots along the river and one near a pond. "The sightings I know about and have been able to check out were around here, here and here. If these are connected to the coins you'll have a hard time getting anything outta the adventurers they're worried someone else will find something so they're keeping where they got them to themselves."
Aizubike Chimaikilu |
Does that give me enough to roll Kn. Religion for undead that fit that bill? Or any Knowledge really (all the same bonus).
If so:
Aizu wracks his brain for anything fitting this description.
Religion: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 9 + (5) = 31
Aizubike Chimaikilu |
Aizu thinks for a moment, then shakes his head.
"There's a lot of things this could be, but the most likely are Lacedons, Draugr, Mummies of the Deep, or perhaps some form of Wight."
"For our sake, I hope it's not the mummies or wights. Given the location, perhaps Draugr are more likely?"
"Thanks you for your assistance Mrs. Nel, though I think it's time we began a more hands on investigation." he looks around at the rest of the group for their assent.
Raznarr the Last |
At the mention of sleep, Raznarr volunteers for first watch, bringing his heavy fur bedroll out to the awning, laying it out before the firewood. Making a couple of assumptions about the area, but...not too big a jump, I hope.
DM - ARC |
Nella comes out with furs and blankets for everyone and clears space around the central hearth. The room would be nice and cozy if not for the two wolf hounds sleeping at the foot of the stairs occasionally growling or chuffing in your direction.
The next morning Haymitch and Nella take you into town, a brisk walk about two hours away. The town is little more than a built up village or hamlet with a rough stone wall surrounding it at chest height. Dozens of small wooden buildings sit crammed between larger stone ones, sometimes even touching, with a variety of simple signs painted on the doorways or for the more prosperous hanging overhead. Signs for a needle and thread, boots, horseshoes, bushels of fruits and many others crowd your vision as various merchants stand nearby or walk the streets in gaudy livery hawking their wares and deriding their competition. Nella eagerly points out several stores to avoid and many more to try while Haymitch keeps to himself, only pointing out a few buildings as likely places to check into. He also recommends talking to the local Huntsmen, when he says it is sounds more like a title than an occupation, and the town elders before bidding farewell and turning Nella back towards home.
Quietly, enough so that Nella doesn't seem to hear him, Haymitch has one final warning. Avoid the men wearing red braids on their shoulders and absolutely don't fight them. He seems like he wants to say more but he stops as several locals are looking at him and at all of you so he shakes his head and turns to catch up to Nella.
(Haymitch has suggest you check out Lowry's Iron, a local smith known for his skill in edges weapons. Sven Svarrgt, a money lender and farm owner believed to have traded the platinum coins for silver and gold. Pollux's an unsavoury inn and tavern the adventurers stayed at and frequently partied. Last Herrod's Emporium, where they were seen frequently bartering for supplies from before their windfall.)
Aizubike Chimaikilu |
Earlier that morning, Aizu brews up a batch of chemicals and smiles widely when they begin faintly glowing and bubbling happily.
"Perfect! Knew I'd get that formula right eventually."
---------------------------------------------------
"I think perhaps we should speak to this "Sven Svarggt" person first. He would be the most likely to still have one or more of the coins in his possession, and maybe he would let us examine one."
Kestra |
I was just about to suggest that same thing. No doubt he doesn't have the kind of clients that'd need to exchange gold for platinum, at least not this far out. Kestra pipes up, praying to Pharasma that she is correct.
Anator Kintash |
Anator merely nods in assent, then thinks a moment.
"Do we want to surprise this Svarggt? He may be mixed up in this as more of an actual agent than an accidental receiver of curs'd coinage. Just a thought.."
DM - ARC |
Svarggt's establishment is dominated by a large sign with a bag of coins spilling out around wheat and corn stalks. The building appears better maintained and built than the rest of the town you've seen so far. The lower portion is brick while the second floor is painted a dark brownish black colour. It is quite busy as lesser merchants and villagers can be seen coming in and out of it.
One particular patron catches your eye as a short yet hulking ulfen exits the building and heads left at a quick pace. The man wears a greenish cloak with the hood hanging low over his blond hair and thick beard. Underneath his jerkin you can see he wears scale armour and has a heavy round shield strapped to his back while a bearded axe hangs from a loop at his belt; but the most notable feature is the twisted red braid of thick leather hanging over his left.
Raznarr the Last |
"Red braid?" Raznarr thinks a moment before whispering to his colleagues, "It sounds like these men ve should avoid are a brotherhood of varriors."
---
Raznarr agrees that the money-changer is a good place to start. He hangs back toward the door, with a hand on the hilt of his axe.
Camas Washougal |
"I would like to check the back of the building before we go in just to get an idea of the size of the place and what could be waiting if we have to exit in a hurry"
After a quick walk around the building Camas rejoins the group and reports what he sees.
"I thought of something else as I was walking. Would it be better to just have a couple of us go in and talk to the Svarggt? If we all go in dressed as we are it might scare him. This is supposed to be just a friendly visit.