"While the light lasts I'll slip ahead under cover, gov.", Ben says lightly before creeping off, spear in one hand and the other on a thick sack hanging from his belt.
Stealth:
Perception:
After about an hour of walking the trail intersects a frozen stream. Standing in the middle of the path, 30 feet away but before the stream, is a human sized snowman. A crudely painted wooden sign leans against it that reads; "Trespassers Turn Back!"
Halting his indirect activities of creating boot marks in the ground beneath him, Franz looked to the snowman and raised an eyebrow in surprise Is this supposed to keep trespassers away? Thought the black haired man, clearly seeing this snowy construct as a joke more than a warning. He then walked up to the snowman and gave it a slight poke with one end of his weapon.
"Oh, are they in Heldren? What's their name? I may know them.""Her name is Lina Dilaan, last I heard she was living with her mother who is married to a merchant who at some point operated from Heldren or was originally born there"
"Hmmm... That name doesn't ring a bell. There've been several people born in Heldren who've left over the years, and merchants who've come and gone. Your merchant may be someone who left Heldren before I was born," Mara muses.
Franz looked to the snowman and raised an eyebrow in surprise Is this supposed to keep trespassers away? Thought the black haired man, clearly seeing this snowy construct as a joke more than a warning. He then walked up to the snowman and gave it a slight poke with one end of his weapon.
"Careful!" Mara warns. "It might be hiding another one of those dead things we fought earlier."
"Dead things? What dead thing?" asks Thoros.
Ben peers about, looking for guards... or another flying log.
Perception:
If the coast is clear, he opens the bag tied to his belt and looks at what's inside.
"Dead things? What dead thing?" asks Thoros.
"Our noble lady's handmaidens were counted among the Twice-Born after the carriage was tipped, gov. And we didn't see any more deaders at the scene. Stands to reason they 'ad to go somewhere, neh?"
"Hmmm... That name doesn't ring a bell. There've been several people born in Heldren who've left over the years, and merchants who've come and gone. Your merchant may be someone who left Heldren before I was born," Mara muses.[/b]
"That sounds plausible, thank you...Mara" Said Franz, his voice at first serious and lacking any hints in emotion but it quickly fell to an awkward tone when he said her name, clearly he was still unused to this environment of familiarity this group of people had between them.
"Careful!" Mara warns. "It might be hiding another one of those dead things we fought earlier."
At her warning the two-blade sword warrior jumps back and drops into a semi ready stance This place is growing stranger by the moment He kept his weapon close in case the young woman's warning turned out to be true.
Seemingly in reaction to Franz's startled jump, the snowman's face comes to life, it's brow furling in agitation. "Can't you read?!?" It yells in anger. "The sign says to turn back! Now get lost!" And with that, it's face reverts back to a regular snowman.
Ben:
Thoros casts detect magic centered on the snowman.
"It's warded, gov. Don't get too close or we'll get worse'n that. Give 'im a wide berth and let's keep going.", Ben says, stepping around the ward.
And it keeps getting stranger Franz gave the snowman a studious glance, before following Ben's lead to avoid the ward. He was feeling a bit saddened that Mara knew nothing of the whereabouts of his daughter; its true that he didn't expect to find her the moment he set foot in this land, but still he had hoped that a resident of Heldren would know or at least would have heard of the merchant she was living with, nonetheless he made sure to keep these feelings away from the mask of seriousness he strapped on, he kept walking and refocused on the task ahead of them.
"Well, hang on a sec, there folks. Should we mebbe destroy the thing? What if it's another trap, or a guardian that'll come after us once our backs 're turned? I don't like just leavin' it there." Rolly hefts his axe a bit, clearly chomping at the bit to get some payback from the log.
For visual reference, here is a map of the area.
The dark blue is the frozen over stream, the light blue is the path, the circle is the snowman and the square is where Ben found the trap.
"We should make sure we don't spring the trap when we do so" Replied Franz to Rolly, while he felt the dwarf had the right idea, the execution of this plan was very critical, the last thing they needed was to suffer an accident similar to the one their new companions just endured.
Franz looks to Thoros who appeared to be concentrating on the unnatural snowman, he slowly approaches his traveling companion, his intent to find out why he was still focusing on snow made construct "Is anything the matter Thoros?" He asks his voice as serious as ever.
"No, I can detect magic on it, but I can't figure out which school it's from. Either just because of my lack of training or just poor concentration. Can't tell."
Thoros shakes his head.
"Better off leavin' it, then. If it comes at us, we just light a torch and melt 'im. Otherwise, why tempt fate, neh?"
Rolly lowers his axe a bit. "Alright, I won't smash the damned thing. I think that's a mistake, but seein' as I don't wanna get zapped by anything either after takin' a log ta the face ... ok, let's get movin'" Rolly gives the snowman a wide berth, spitting in its general direction, and sets off following the trail again.
Sticking to the back of the group as he has done before, Franz kept his weapon brandished but did not drop into any particular battle stance, he simply walked on. He kept his eyes to the trail ahead only looking to his back on occasion to make sure that they aren't being followed. It seemed to him that the group was very war of falling into another ambush, he could not blame them though; even battle-hardened individuals would heighten their awareness and suspicions after falling prey to an unexpected attack.
An attack here would have us at a disadvantage, especially if our enemies used ranged attacks The former mercenary looked at his feet and at the frozen stream, he did not know if the water was frozen solid enough to handle the stomping boots of charging warriors...and he did not want to risk it.
"Lets move past this frozen area quickly, we can't risk engaging opponents on unstable terrain" Said Franz to the group, his voice bordering the line between advice and strong suggestion.
The party crosses over the frozen stream and while it's a bit slippery, the crossing goes without incident. On the other side, however, Rolly spots a pair of boots poking out of the snow and brush.
"Hold up there, folks! See them there?" Rolly points out the pair of boots. OK, lemme go check it out. Nothin' has been what it seems so far, an' Ben checked out the last thing. My turn to take th' risk."
Rolly creeps forward slowly, his axe at the ready in his hands and eyes darting everywhere. He'll stop about 5-10' away and look over everything very intently.
perception
As Rolly nears the boots, he sees that they are still attached to the wearer. Buried in the underbrush is Old Farmer Dansby. Several jagged shards of ice protrude from his chest and a thin stream of blood has run from his mouth and stains the snow beneath his head. It seems he meant it when he threatened to find out what froze his crops.
He still has a solid looking longbow strung across his torso and a fine looking hand axe at his side.
Thoros realizes the boots are attached to a dead man. He looks around trying to decide if it is safe.
If all looks safe he kneels next to the dead man checking him over more thoroughly than the dwarf may have done.
After checking him over he looks up at his new companions.
"You knew this man?, he asks.
Stepping past the brush to see who is it his companions has found leads Franz to notice the body of an old man with several daggers of ice planted on his chest This man doesn't look like a threat to whoever we are chasing, it seems he was killed for trespassing...and his killer could be close The raven black haired man walks to Ben, he needed him to scout ahead; as he seemed to be the best equipped person in this party for the task, but he did not know if he'd listen to a suggestion from a complete stranger...even if it was logical. He released a loud sigh as he was on the way to the rogue knowing that this would not be easy, he much preferred facing a fierce opponent, to trying to convince someone he does not know very well of.
"We need to know if who ever attacked this man is still in the area...you are the most equipped to scout ahead in stealth to find out if we are surrounded" Said Franz once he was close enough to Ben, his voice serious with a hint irritation.
Thoros finds a composite longbow (+2) with 12 arrows, a masterwork hand axe and pouch containing 14GP 25SP 18CP.
The man looks to have been killed only a few hours ago at most.
Stepping past the brush to see who is it his companions has found leads Franz to notice the body of an old man with several daggers of ice planted on his chest This man doesn't look like a threat to whoever we are chasing, it seems he was killed for trespassing...and his killer could be close The raven black haired man walks to Ben, he needed him to scout ahead; as he seemed to be the best equipped person in this party for the task, but he did not know if he'd listen to a suggestion from a complete stranger...even if it was logical. He released a loud sigh as he was on the way to the rogue knowing that this would not be easy, he much preferred facing a fierce opponent, to trying to convince someone he does not know very well of.
"We need to know if who ever attacked this man is still in the area...you are the most equipped to scout ahead in stealth to find out if we are surrounded" Said Franz once he was close enough to Ben, his voice serious with a hint irritation.
"I'll take a look, gov. But I expect to hear a little magic word next time, neh?", Ben says, drawing his short sword and creeping off.
Perception:Stealth:
Before he could even reply, Franz witnessed Ben slink into the shadows and soon his eyes could not follow the rogue anymore. Placing one end of his weapon on the ground, he released another sigh; he was frustrated but more with himself than anyone else, he was not dealing with soldiers here, these people were more accustomed to listening to their own instincts, but nonetheless he was somewhat glad that Ben has agreed to his suggestion I need to approach this in other way...I'll think about that at a later time, I need to keep my eyes open for any kind of attack He thought as he looked around, determined to guard his companions who were still examining the body.
Thoros realizes the boots are attached to a dead man. He looks around trying to decide if it is safe.
[dice=Perception]d20+4
If all looks safe he kneels next to the dead man checking him over more thoroughly than the dwarf may have done.
[dice=Heal Check]d20+6
After checking him over he looks up at his new companions.
"You knew this man?, he asks.
"Yeah, local farmer to who wanted to figure out why his crops froze up. Guess he might've done that." Rolly shakes his head pitifully.
"Once yer through rootin' 'round in his stuff, let's at least try an' put 'im in a more respectful way, eh? I'll help ya." Rolly grabs hold of the man and lays him out in a more dignified manner, then starts covering him with snow quickly. "This should serve 'til someone can come back and properly bury 'im."
Before Rolly can completely cover the man, Thoros spends a moment praying to Erastil while laying his hands on the man's chest. Helping Rolly cover him up, he stands and looks at the others.
"This man has only been dead a few hours and those icicles are the cause. I am guessing those were magically thrown at him."
"I'll take a look, gov. But I expect to hear a little magic word next time, neh?", Ben says, drawing his short sword and creeping off.
Perception: 1d20+7
Stealth: 1d20+7-1
Ben silently follows the trail, ascending the other side of the creek bank through rows of tall pines. After about a hundred feet, the hill crests sharply. Peering over the other side, Ben sees that the forest opens up into a long, wide gulf of a valley. North and south, the gorge stretches as far as he can see. Looking ahead to the west though, he can see the other side, several miles off. Perched on the edge of the western side is a large wooden and stone lodge. Smoke rises from its chimneys but it's tough to see more detail from this distance.
Ben reappears shortly.
"There's a lodge up there, in the west side o' the valley. Looks inhabited, so I'd say that's our best bet. Couple miles out, though. May be best to find a likely spot to make camp once we're clear o' here, neh?"
"I agree" Answered Franz "Once Thoros and Skullsplitter are done with the body we'll find a safe spot to make camp" He continues as he looks to the two people tending to the body.
"...good work" Said the former mercenary to Ben, his tone of speech slightly marred by hesitation. Franz wondered who could be living in cottage so far away from civilization, but one thing he did know, the person living in that cottage is a suspect of killing this old farmer If it wasn't for ice spikes I would have said we are dealing a hunter, but this is the work of an arcane user, but I should not jump to conclusions, whoever lives in the cottage could be innocent He continued to ponder the possibilities as he walked slightly ahead, then turned to the right and caught Mara in his sights, if any among them would have any idea about the person living in that cottage it would be her.
"...Mara, do you know anyone who could be living in that cottage?" He asked, his voice a little distant as he was still thinking about their situation.
"I don't like the idea of sleepin' out here, 'specially with this weird snow an' such. But it's lookin' like we ain't got a choice. You folks talk about that cottage, I'll find us a good spot."
Rolly begins searching the area for a safe spot to camp for the evening.
Survival
Rolly finds a fallen tree whose roots would make a fine shelter from the wind and prying eyes. Like this but with more snow.
"You knew this man?, he asks."Yeah, local farmer to who wanted to figure out why his crops froze up. Guess he might've done that." Rolly shakes his head pitifully.
"Old Farmer Dansby," Mara says softly, her voice subdued. "He was just in the Silver Stoat earlier. This isn't right. We've got to put a stop to whatever is causing all of this," she adds, moving to help Rolly and Thoros compose Dansby's body.
"...Mara, do you know anyone who could be living in that cottage?"
"No, I don't. But then I've never really spent much time outside of Heldren - Uncle Tengezil and Old Mother Theodora always got really nervous if I ever went beyond sight of the buildings when I was younger, and I've been too busy ever since I became Mother Theodora's apprentice." Mara pauses and then turns to Rolly and Ben. "Do you think whoever abducted your Lady Argentea could've taken her to that lodge?"
Ben blows into his cupped hands, rubbing them together for warmth.
"I'd place a bet on it bein' so, love. Only place around for miles that could hold enough men to work a job like that and I didn't see no campfires.."
"Before we bed down for the night, anyone need any healing, I have some spells left and hate to let them go to waste when I will just receive more in the morning?"
Noting the spot Rolly found for them, Franz made his way to the fallen tree, its roots extending forward like reaching fingers. Once he was standing by the natural shelter he looked around the area before he began gathering rocks and forming them in a circle, then he took the firewood he had in his pack, and gather the flint tinder he had in the pocket of his backpack. It took him a few tries before a spark was born and took to the wood like a ravenous locust spreading across a a field of green.
The former mercenary looked to his companions and wondered on the issue of who would take the first shift, he would think it would be best for him to take the first shift, then Ben as he was not badly injured by the trap, but mid-thought he decided to simply ask his companions to decide the matter among themselves, which shift he would be given was fine with him.
"Who'll take first shift?" He asked, his voice devoid of any noticeable emotion.
"Before we bed down for the night, anyone need any healing, I have some spells left and hate to let them go to waste when I will just receive more in the morning?"
"I'm still a bit battered from that log trap," Mara replies to Thoros' question. "A bit more healing would be appreciated."